U.S. and British troops have reportedly recovered Chinese weapons after clashes with the Taliban. Britain would like China to explain how this could be so.
When asked about the latest British concerns, the Chinese foreign ministry referred back to a statement made by their spokesman Qin Gang in July who said China's arms exports were carried out "in strict accordance with our law and our international obligations".
For their part, the Taleban have recently begun boasting that they have now got hold of much more sophisticated weaponry although they refused to say from where.
Afghan officials have also privately confirmed to the BBC that sophisticated Chinese weapons are now in the hands of the Taleban.
Taleban forces fled Kabul in 2001They said these included Chinese-made surface-to-air missiles, anti-aircraft guns, landmines, rocket-propelled grenades and components for roadside bombs.
A senior Afghan official told the BBC: "Chinese HN-5 anti-aircraft missiles are with the Taleban, we know this... and we are worried where do the Taleban get them, some of these weapons have been made recently in Chinese factories."
Another Afghan official who deals with counter-terrorism said: "Serial numbers and other information from most of the Chinese weapons have been removed in most cases and it's almost impossible for us to find out where they come from but we have shared our concerns with the Chinese and the Americans also."
Worried
The Afghan government considers China to be a friend, and a much less meddlesome ally than the other big player in its neighbourhood, India.
But, the counter-terrorism official added, "China is worried about the presence of the US in the region".
The story goes on to say that the arms are likely filtering into Taliban hands via Iran. Pakistan's ISI would be unlikely to allow the Taliban access to shoulder-launched missiles and armour-piercing bullets because those weapons could easily be used against Pakistani troops.
It's also not seen as being in China's interests in arming Pakistani militants, as there are some hard feelings in Pakistan over China's suppression of Muslim Uighurs in China's far west.