China pledges support for Taliban, speaks out against G7 threat to sanction hardline group

China has repeated its support of the Taliban, warning against imposing sanctions on the hardline group, one day after the Group of Seven (G7) leaders sought to put pressure on the Taliban to allow safe passage for Afghans wanting to leave the country. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on August 25, 2021, that the arbitrary use of sanctions will only be counterproductive. The Taliban says it wants to develop economic ties and build friendly relations with Beijing.