Beijing has traditionally stayed away from the direct focus of global terrorist organizations, but a recent assessment linked to al-Qaida has brought new attention to China’s internal security challenges, adding another layer of risk to its global posture.
At the center of this concern are long-standing allegations of human rights abuses against the Uyghur population in China’s Xinjiang region. International rights groups, along with findings referenced by the United Nations, have repeatedly raised alarms over what they describe as systematic repression, making the issue one of the most widely debated human rights concerns worldwide.
According to reports, a fresh warning tied to the Uyghur situation emerged through a Telegram message attributed to the head of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, Atef al-Awlaki. The message reportedly praised attacks on Jews and Americans while cautioning China that its treatment of Uyghurs was being closely monitored.
The statement allegedly threatened retaliation against Chinese interests “on land and sea” should Beijing continue its policies toward the Uyghur Muslim population in Xinjiang, a region home to the Turkic minority group.
This evolving threat landscape also factors into China’s engagement with Afghanistan. With the Taliban in control of Kabul and Afghanistan sharing a narrow border with Xinjiang, Beijing sees the country as strategically significant from a security standpoint.
Since the Taliban regained power in 2021, China has worked to strengthen ties with the Afghan leadership, motivated by both security considerations and economic ambitions. However, Afghanistan’s internal instability and ideological divides limit how much support it can realistically provide.
While short-term coordination may be achievable, the underlying grievances of the Uyghur population remain unresolved. At the same time, extremist groups such as al-Qaida and ISIS have criticized the Taliban, accusing them of abandoning militant objectives in favor of governance and political compromise.
There have also been instances of armed confrontation. The Wakhan Corridor in Afghanistan’s Badakhshan Province links areas where Uyghur groups have long demanded independence. Xinjiang itself borders multiple Central Asian nations, adding to its geopolitical sensitivity.
China has reportedly sought cooperation from Kabul to act as a security buffer, citing claims that Uyghur separatist groups maintain bases in Afghan territory.
Beijing has also urged the Taliban to take action against the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), which China designates as a terrorist organization. ETIM views China as an occupying power and has openly supported armed resistance.
Since 2017, multiple reports have emerged alleging mass detentions, forced labor, and cultural suppression in Xinjiang, which Chinese authorities describe as “vocational training centers.” Beijing maintains these measures are part of counterterrorism efforts aimed at separatist groups, a position strongly disputed by human rights organizations.
A 2022 report by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights documented “serious human rights violations” that could amount to crimes against humanity. The report cited the detention of more than one million Uyghurs, restrictions on religious expression, and extensive surveillance and indoctrination programs.
The reported al-Qaida message signals a notable shift, as the group has historically focused its rhetoric on the United States and Israel. However, militant attention toward China is not entirely new. In March 2017, ISIS released footage showing Uyghur fighters within its ranks, accompanied by threats directed at Beijing and the execution of an alleged informant.
Earlier this year, a commentary published by Defence One, a media partner of the 2025 Global Security Forum, observed, “Now, in 2025, there is less doubt that China is in the crosshairs of transnational terror groups. Capable and determined violent non-state actors could give China trouble in various hotspots around the world – in Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and elsewhere.”
The analysis concluded, “Beijing was once suspected of overhyping its terror threat, but no longer. As China continues to expand its Belt and Road Initiative, with Chinese personnel and infrastructure expanding across the globe, there will likely be more incidents of kidnapping for ransom, terrorist attacks, and other actions targeting a growing Chinese presence abroad.”
Chinese-funded projects and nationals working in countries such as Afghanistan and Pakistan have previously been targeted, underscoring the growing risks tied to China’s expanding global footprint.
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