Afghan president Hamid Karzai meets China leaders amid security concerns
President Xi Jinping in discussions on copper mine project stalled by Taliban with Afghan leader in Beijing
Afghan President Hamid Karzai met on Friday with Chinese leaders amid security threats in the war-torn nation that have stymied a massive copper mine development by a Chinese consortium.
Karzai met separately with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang at Beijing’s Great Hall of the people, and the situation at the Aynak mine south of Kabul was expected to have featured prominently in the talks.
“We consider China to be an anchor of stability for this region and the larger world. Afghanistan recognises China as a neighbour that has always been good to us,” Karzai said after meeting with Li, who said the visit would “inject fresh momentum” into bilateral relations.
Following the meetings, the Xi and Karzai presided over the signing of agreements on extradition, technical and economic cooperation, and education.
A consortium led by China Metallurgical Group bid US$3 billion to develop the mine, promising also to build a power plant, railway and other infrastructure in Afghanistan, whose ravaged economy badly needs the jobs and investment. Six years later, work has yet to start, largely because of Taliban insurgent activity in surrounding Logar province. The consortium is now seeking to renegotiate the contract.
In an indication of the concern over the mining project, Afghan Minister of Mines and Petroleum Wahidullah Shahrani travelled ahead of Karzai for talks. Earlier in the week, Karzai’s spokesman said the Afghan government was aware of the Chinese security concerns.