China, Afghanistan hold talks on mining, belt and road participation

[Desmond Milligan 0]

KABUL (Reuters) -China told Afghanistan on Wednesday that Beijing was keen on exploring and mining minerals in Afghanistan and wanted Kabul to formally join its Belt and Road Initiative, the Afghan Taliban foreign ministry said.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is visiting Kabul and held talks with Afghanistan's acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, the ministry said in a statement, adding that both countries wanted to expand cooperation in a range of areas.

Wang said both countries were working together to remove obstacles in the trade of farm products and increase Afghanistan's exports to China, according to the Afghan statement.

"Mr. Wang Yi also mentioned that China intends to initiate practical mining activities this year," it said.

Beijing was yet to issue its readout of the talks.

China was the first country to appoint an ambassador to Afghanistan under the Taliban and has sought to develop its ties with the hardline Islamist group that took control of the war-torn country in 2021.

The impoverished country, rich in lithium, copper and iron deposits, could offer a wealth of mineral resources to boost Beijing's supply chain security, analysts say.

(Reporting by Mohammad Yunus Yawar; Writing by Sudipto Ganguly; editing by YP Rajesh)

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