The announcement comes as China looks to increase its investments in Afghanistan’s resources sector ahead of the withdrawal of US-led military forces from the country in 2014. In June, the two countries decided to upgrade their ties to the level of a strategic and co-operative partnership.
Increasingly, Afghanistan’s neighbours have been looking to expand their influence in the country.
China has been investing in Afghanistan’s mineral sector for several years now as it seeks mineral resources in different parts of the world. During this time, a Chinese state-owned mining company has invested considerably in a copper mine in the province of Logar.
Last year, China was also given approval to begin oil exploration and extraction activities in the potential rich Amu Darya river basin
