BEIJING (Reuters) - China’s Defence Ministry on Thursday denied that it was planning to build a military base in Afghanistan, branding such reports “groundless”.
Russian news agency Ferghana News, which focuses on Central Asia, has reported that China will build the base in northern Afghanistan. The report was picked up last week by U.S. magazine The Diplomat and then in Chinese state media.
Speaking at a regular news briefing, ministry spokesman Wu Qian said that the two countries had normal security cooperation and that China like other countries was supporting Afghanistan in defense and counter-terrorism.
“The so-called issue that China is building a military base in Afghanistan is groundless,” Wu said.
The ministry has also previously dismissed reports that Chinese military vehicles were patrolling inside Afghanistan.
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Update: China Dismisses Reports About a Military Base in Afghanistan (Al-Bawaba)
WNU Editor: What happens in Afghanistan will impact China in the future .... they after-all do share a small border. But for now the Chinese have little desire to get involved in that quagmire.
