China today termed as "positive progress" the Taliaban's move to set up a political office in Qatar and hold reconciliation talks with the US and Afghan officials to bring a peaceful end to the 12-year-long war.
"China always supports Afghanistan's national reconciliation process which is Afghan-led and Afghan-owned," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told reporters here.
She was answering a question on Taliban setting up a liaison office in Qatar to initiate talks with the US and Afghan governments.
"China welcomes the positive progress made recently in the process and appreciates the positive efforts made by relevant parties," Hua said.
Her comments were significant as China in the recent months held talks with India for the first time, besides Pakistan and Russia, over the future strategy in Afghanistan when US and NATO troops leave the country next year.
Taliban, which has been fighting against US-led NATO troops and the Afghan government since 2001, broke off initial contacts with the Americans last year and have long refused to negotiate with Kabul.
China's proactive diplomacy followed its own concerns over the return of Taliban and Al Qaeda which could have a destabilising affect on Xinjiang, the Muslim Uygur dominated Chinese province, which bordered both Afghanistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir.
Xinjiang has witnessed riots and violence in the recent years between Uygurs and ethnic Han Chinese over mass settlements of the latter in the province.
China says East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), which campaigns for separate state, is active in the province.
Despite its reservations over Taliban's return, China looks to preserve its interests in Afghanistan including huge commercial investments hoping to rein the militant groups with the help of Pakistan.
In her reply Hua also said China want the international community to continue to provide necessary assistance to the reconciliation process based on respect for Afghanistan's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and make joint efforts for early realisation of governance of Afghanistan by the Afghan people.
