KABUL: The Afghan government on Saturday denied discussing theestablishment of a Chinese military base innortheastern Afghanistan rejecting rumors and media reports in this regard.

“The issue of a Chinese military presence has not been discussed yet”, astatement from the National Security Council (NSC) said.

“Through media and colleagues, we want to make it clear that militarycooperation with foreign countries cannot happen without its approval byNSC and ratification by the parliament,” the statement said.

Relations between Kabul and Beijing have different dimensions, but theissue of Chinese troops’ presences has not yet been discussed, thestatement added.

Reports had been circulating in the media recently past China plans to helpbuild a base for a brigade of troops in northeastern Badakhshan provinceto prevent militants from sneaking into China.

Beijing also denied last month it was planning to construct a military basein Afghanistan, calling the reports as ‘groundless.’

Recently Afghan Defence Minister Gen. Bahrami visited China and demandedsupport for Afghan forces in Badakhshan. .

NATO link> Secretary General Jens Stoltenberghad also said that any decision about a China military base lied with theAfghan government and it was up to them to decide in this regard.