China, which has largely remained outside the direct focus of global terror outfits, is now facing renewed security concerns linked to its policies toward the Uyghur Muslim community in Xinjiang, according to recent assessments highlighting emerging threats from transnational extremist groups.
International human rights organisations and United Nations reports have repeatedly raised concerns over alleged human rights violations against Uyghurs in Xinjiang, describing systemic repression, mass detentions, restrictions on religious practices, and extensive surveillance. A 2022 report by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights stated that serious violations may amount to crimes against humanity.
The issue has now reportedly drawn the attention of extremist organisations traditionally focused on Western and Israeli targets. According to recent monitoring, a statement attributed to a senior figure of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula was circulated via Telegram, warning China over its treatment of Uyghurs and threatening retaliation against Chinese interests if alleged abuses continue. The message reportedly marked a shift in the group’s narrative, bringing China into its stated areas of concern.
Security analysts note that China’s engagement with Afghanistan is closely linked to these concerns. Since the Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021, Beijing has sought closer ties with the Afghan administration, driven by security considerations related to Xinjiang and economic interests tied to regional connectivity. Afghanistan’s proximity to China’s Xinjiang region, particularly through the narrow Wakhan Corridor in Badakhshan province, has added strategic significance to the relationship.
Beijing has been seeking cooperation from Kabul to prevent Uyghur militant groups from operating along the border. China has repeatedly called on the Taliban to curb the activities of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), which it designates as a terrorist organisation. ETIM has long accused China of occupying Xinjiang and has advocated armed resistance, a claim strongly rejected by Beijing.
However, analysts point out that Afghanistan’s internal instability and ideological differences limit its ability to act as an effective security buffer. Radical Islamist groups such as al-Qaida and ISIS have, in the past, criticised the Taliban for prioritising governance over armed jihad, leading to clashes between rival extremist factions. In 2017, ISIS released a video purportedly showing Uyghur militants within its ranks and issued threats against China, indicating that the Uyghur issue had already entered extremist propaganda narratives.
China maintains that its actions in Xinjiang are counter-terrorism measures aimed at preventing separatism and extremism, describing detention facilities as vocational training centres. These claims, however, have been disputed by rights groups, which allege forced labour, cultural erasure, and arbitrary detention of more than one million Uyghurs.
Security assessments suggest that China’s expanding global footprint through the Belt and Road Initiative has increased its exposure to asymmetric threats. Chinese nationals and infrastructure projects in countries such as Afghanistan and Pakistan have previously been targeted in militant attacks, underlining vulnerabilities linked to overseas engagement.
Recent strategic commentary has noted that China, once accused of overstating terror threats, now faces growing risks from determined non-state actors operating across multiple regions. As Beijing’s economic and strategic presence expands abroad, analysts warn that threats such as targeted attacks, kidnappings, and sabotage against Chinese interests are likely to remain a persistent challenge.
