BEIJING: China’s Defence Ministry on Thursday denied that it was planningto build a military base in Afghanistan, branding such reports “groundless”.
Russian news agency Ferghana News, which focuses on Central Asia, hasreported that China will build the base in northern Afghanistan. The reportwas picked up last week by U.S. magazine The Diplomat and then in Chinesestate media.
Speaking at a regular news briefing, ministry spokesman Wu Qian said thatthe two countries had normal security cooperation and that China like othercountries was supporting Afghanistan in defense and counter-terrorism.
“The so-called issue that China is building a military base in Afghanistanis groundless,” Wu said.
The ministry has also previously dismissed reports that Chinese militaryvehicles were patrolling inside Afghanistan. – Agencies