Time for input from our favorite duo at ADV ChinaOf course. Propaganda layer PR is one thing now, but here's what is left, at least in the case of government - the Taliban may be USA's enemy, but in the end USA is far away from Afghanistan, while China is going to have them and any mess their create on a little bit of its land border, with the Xinjiang province, its Muslim population, and the controversies involved at that.
And yes for those who might think to the contrary. China is not as top notch as you may think. They are BS Masters.