China demands Taliban protect its citizens after deadly Kabul blast

BBC News - WorldCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete January 20, 2026 at 12:16 PM

AI Summary

medium article 2 min

Following a deadly explosion at a Chinese restaurant in Kabul, Afghanistan, China has demanded the Taliban government ensure the safety of its citizens. The blast, which killed six Afghans and one Chinese national, occurred in a heavily-guarded area of the city. The Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility, citing China's alleged mistreatment of Uyghur Muslims as a motive. China has urged its citizens to avoid traveling to Afghanistan since the Taliban seized control in 2021. Beijing has made urgent requests to the Taliban to treat the injured and protect Chinese citizens. The restaurant reportedly served mostly Chinese Muslims and was run by a Chinese Muslim man from Xinjiang.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

EMERGENCY 40% Khalid Zadran 50% Shahr-e-Naw 50% Xinjiang 60% Guo Jiakun 60% Kabul ×370% Beijing ×280% Islamic State (IS) ×290% China ×490%

Keywords

china 90% taliban 90% kabul blast 80% islamic state 80% chinese citizens 70% terrorism 60% uyghur muslims 60% human rights abuses 50% security 50% xinjiang 40%