China wants to investigate civilian casualties in Afghanistan

China has called for an investigation into the killing of civilians by US-led forces in Afghanistan at the UN Security Council. The activities of foreign troops over the 20 years should not be “erased,” China’s vice ambassador to the United Nations, Geng Shuang, said at Monday’s Security Council meeting. This includes “criminal activities of US and Australian forces” and the “indiscriminate killing of civilians”. China had engaged in a furious exchange with Australia in late 2020 after foreign office spokesman Zhao Lijian had posted a fake picture on Twitter depicting alleged war crimes committed by Australian soldiers in Afghanistan. Canberra demanded an apology at the time – to no avail.