Special envoy named amid concerns over Afghan impact

China has appointed a special envoy for Afghan affairs, a move that signals Beijing's growing concern over Afghanistan's stability and the impact it might cast on China, especially the adjacent Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

Sun Yuxi, a veteran Chinese diplomat who served as Chinese ambassador to Afghanistan from 2002 to 2004, was appointed as the foreign ministry's special envoy for Afghan affairs, foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said on Friday.

"The foreign ministry has appointed a special envoy to strengthen communication with Afghanistan and all parties concerned to maintain the country and the region's lasting peace, stability and development," Hong said.

Beijing's decision to appoint a special envoy came as the US vowed to completely withdraw its troops from Afghanistan by 2017.

"The role of the special envoy will be ensuring China's friendly relations with Afghanistan and ensuring the country's role in stabilization of the country Afghanistan," said The Afghanistan Express on Sunday, adding that Afghanistan's stability is important for Beijing and both countries should work together to combat terrorism.

China has appointed special envoys to specifically tackle issues in the Middle East, Africa, the Korean Peninsula and other parts of Asia.