China says it hopes Taliban will ‘ensure peaceful transition’ and ‘stop terrorism’

China’s government said on Monday it hoped the Taliban would “fulfil its commitment to ensure a smooth transition” and “curb all kinds of terrorism" in Afghanistan following its rapid takeover of the country. Asked if China will recognise the new Taliban regime, Ms. Hua said China “stands ready to develop good-neighbourly, friendly and cooperative relations with Afghanistan, and to play a constructive role in the peace and reconstruction of Afghanistan.” "On many occasions, the Taliban has expressed the hope of developing sound relations with China, saying they look forward to China's participation in the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan, and that they will never allow any forces to use the Afghan territory to endanger China,” she said. China respects the right of the Afghan people to independently determine their own destiny.” While several countries have been evacuating their personnel and closing their missions in the country, Ms. Hua said China’s Embassy in Kabul was “still operating normally” and “most of the Chinese citizens in Afghanistan have already returned to China." The Communist Party-run Global Times, a tabloid published by the official People’s Daily known for its often nationalistic slant, noted that many online were comparing the U.S. exit from Kabul to the fall of Saigon and this was "a clearer demonstration of U.S. impotence than the Vietnam War” showing the U.S. was “a paper tiger.” In an editorial, the paper said the speed of the Taliban takeover was "undoubtedly a heavy blow to the U.S’ and "declared the complete failure of U.S. intent to reshape Afghanistan.” "In the meantime, the U.S.’s desperate withdrawal plan shows the unreliability of U.S. commitments to its allies: When its interests require it to abandon allies, Washington will not hesitate to find every excuse to do so,” the paper said.