This week, many Chinese netizens, like the rest of the world, have been fixating on a crisis-stricken Afghanistan. The Chinese government has reiterated that it would not “interfere with Afghanistan’s internal affairs,” and that it respects the right of the Afghan people to “decide their own fate.” On social media, some people are pushing back against the government’s rhetoric, decrying Taliban sympathizers for being “Taliban in spirit” (j?ng T? ??). Some observers believe that China is laying the groundwork to recognize the Taliban as a legitimate regime. In early July, a Taliban spokesperson called China a “welcome friend.” Taliban officials…