Why is the Taliban willing to overlook China's dismal treatment of its Uighur Muslim population?

Question

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/09/02/taliban-calls-china-principal-partner-international-community/

China is the Taliban’s “principal partner” in the international community, the Islamist group has said in its strongest signal yet of diplomatic priorities.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid on Thursday claimed Beijing was “ready to invest in and reconstruct” Afghanistan as he set out hopes that China would provide a gateway into global markets.

His remarks offer the clearest indication to date of the diplomatic direction in which the Taliban is turning, as well as how it intends to solve the economic crisis crippling the country.

Mr Mujahid said the Chinese would revive Afghan copper mining and production as he expressed admiration for the One Belt One Road project under which China extends significant loans to other countries to invest in infrastructure.

I understand that economic growth is a priority for them to maintain long-term rule over the country, but I am wondering why they are willing to overlook China's dismal treatment of its Uighur Muslim population and even go as far as to say that China is its biggest ally without expressing any concern for China's treatment of its Uighur Muslim population. Is there a particular reason for this?

Answer 1

China was the 3rd largest trade partner of Afghanistan (after India and Pakistan) even while the US was heavily involved in Afghanistan (although I'm not sure how one compares trade with aid quantitively for a better appreciation of the relative importance). In any case, the US is gone from the region and not showing signs of wanting to recognize the Taliban as a government. Furthermore, the combination of factors of the relations between India and Pakistan being pretty bad, the Taliban being seen as an ally/proxy of Pakistan in India, and Pakistan itself not being capable of doing much foreign investment (rather being in need of plenty), basically means that China is likely to be the main source of such foreign investment for Afghanistan.

As discussed in answers to a related question, China is involved in significant infrastructure projects in the neighboring Pakistan already, and has some mining concessions in Afghanistan ongoing. China is basically willing to work in/with these regions that other countries aren't too willing to deal with, presently.

On another tack, it's well known that China is quite sensitive to criticism of their policy in Xinjiang; boycotts of Western brands that took a stance (even with an odd TV-censorship twist) etc. So it's not too surprising that countries that are more dependent on China economically have not been very vocal about the situation in Xinjiang... even when they have Muslim majority population. I asked a question here about Pakistan's official reactions to Xinjiang: the reactions were pretty muted and mostly limited to private channels.

Answer 2

The Taliban are an Afghan group first, and are Muslims second. Their primary goal is to secure their own country, not to launch a holy war against foreigners outside of Afghanistan.

China is offering them trade and diplomatic recognition, and the means to rebuild their country.

The Uighur aren't Afghans.