Islamic Emirate Denies Claims of Security Failures for Chinese Workers
The Islamic Emirate has rejected a Foreign Policy magazine report regarding the security of Chinese nationals in Afghanistan.
Foreign Policy, citing a researcher from the U.S.-based Stimson Center, reported that the Islamic Emirate has failed to ensure the safety of Chinese workers against local threats.
The researcher specifically referred to gold mines, saying that Chinese workers in Afghanistan continue to be targeted by unidentified armed groups and that mines located along the Afghanistan–Tajikistan border have become high-risk areas for them.
However, the Islamic Emirate rejected the claims and described them as exaggerated. According to its spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, some past incidents were linked to smuggling and the activities of smugglers. He added that additional forces have now been deployed to the area to ensure the security of workers and projects.
Zabihullah Mujahid said: “What has been mentioned is not accurate and has not been interpreted correctly. Some of the incidents that occurred were related to smuggling and the problems caused by smugglers. It is natural that smuggling occasionally takes place between countries, and similar incidents occurred here.”
The report also stated that due to the sharp rise in gold prices, Chinese nationals have moved to northern Afghanistan. While some of their activities are legal and conducted with the support of China and the Islamic Emirate, others involve case-by-case agreements that, at best, have been informally approved by local Taliban authorities.
Mujahid added that Chinese workers and other foreign nationals operate alongside Afghan companies under transparent contracts and in accordance with official laws, and that their security is fully ensured.
According to the Foreign Policy report, since November 2024, seven attacks have been carried out against Chinese nationals along the Afghanistan–Tajikistan border, killing at least nine people and injuring more than ten others.
China has also invested between $310 million and $350 million in the Mes Aynak copper project and the Amu Darya oil project in Afghanistan.
