China's dilemma in Afghanistan
Beijing prefers to leave security concerns to other nations, as aligning with the US would upset Islamic allies, but its investments are at risk
Yu Minghui recently returned to Beijing for a year, after spending more than a decade in Afghanistan where he has made a fortune in steel.
Yu decided to relocate on account of his new business - trading Afghan gems - and because of the security in the war-torn nation, which could deteriorate as the United States and its Nato allies move to withdraw most of their soldiers and the country prepares to hold a presidential election next year.
"The level of uncertainty is getting more serious," Yu said. "We don't know what will happen next year."
Yu settled in Kabul in 2002 and established himself as one of the leading Chinese businessmen in Afghanistan, operating a steel refinery that used scrapped vehicles and tanks. A tonne of scrap metal that cost US$200 to buy could be turned into reinforcing steel bars that fetched five times the price.
Although profit was good, Yu has had to scale back production, close his office and ask his local partner to manage the factory while he is in Beijing.
Yu said he was not alone in his concerns - the country previously hosted several hundred Chinese businessmen and workers on projects, ranging from telecommunications to energy projects, but fewer than 100 remained now.