Biden Says China Has 'Real Problem' With Taliban

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - President Joe Biden said China will have issues dealing with the Taliban* following the complete US withdrawal from Afghanistan, according to a White House press pool report

Biden said he expects neighboring countries like China, Pakistan, Russia, and Iran to work out arrangements with the Taliban.

"China has a real problem with the Taliban," the US president said on Tuesday when asked if China will fund the Taliban.

Biden about China #Taliban relations

"China has a real problem with the Taliban, So they're going to try to work out some arrangement.., As does Pakistan, ... Russia, .... Iran. They're all trying to figure out what do they do now. So it will be interesting to see what happens" pic.twitter.com/mVsCa6XJ8v

— Asfandyar Bhittani (@BhittaniKhannnn) September 8, 2021

The Taliban had earlier reiterated Afghanistan's friendly attitude toward China and its willingness to prevent any forces from using Afghan soil to threaten China. The Islamist movement also hopes to continue cooperation as part of China's Belt and Road infrastructure project.

Russia has not made any decisions recognizing the Taliban as the official government of Afghanistan, the Kremlin said earlier.

"You know that so far no decisions have been made on the recognition of the Taliban. In addition, you also know that indeed we are very carefully monitoring everything that is happening there, and most importantly, we are still trying to understand how the promises of the Taliban, their statements, will correlate with their future actions," the Kremlin said.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid speaks during a news conference in Kabul, Afghanistan September 6, 2021. REUTERS/Stringer

© REUTERS / REUTERS/Stringer

On Tuesday, the Taliban unveiled their caretaker government with Hasan Akhund, who has been under UN sanctions since 2001, at the helm. The movement's leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, said that Sharia law would be in force in Afghanistan.

The Taliban reportedly sent Russia, China, Turkey, Iran, Qatar and Pakistan invitations to attend the event dedicated to the announcement of the new Afghan government.

*A terrorist organization banned in Russia