Xi Jinping-led China government, which has its eyes on Afghanistan’s USD 1 trillion reserves of gold and lithium, has witnessed a major setback. A Chinese national, who was reportedly working at a mine in Afghanistan, killed in the Takhar province. According to the reports, he was returning towards the city of Talokan when unknown assailants attacked and shot him.
China Lodges Protest With Afghanistan
Why In News
- Xi Jinping-led China government, which has its eyes on Afghanistan’s USD 1 trillion reserves of gold and lithium, has witnessed a major setback. A Chinese national, who was reportedly working at a mine in Afghanistan, killed in the Takhar province. According to the reports, he was returning towards the city of Talokan when unknown assailants attacked and shot him.
- A translator and another individual were accompanying the Chinese national, both of whom were also caught in the gunfire. The Taliban administration has detained the translator and is interrogating him. For China, tensions have now escalated in Afghanistan, adding to concerns already raised by Pakistan and Tajikistan.
All You Need To Know
- Taliban security forces have arrived at the scene and have begun searching for the attacker. The reason behind the attack is not known. Just a few days ago, an individual attacked Chinese nationals in Tajikistan, killing one person. This attack was carried out by an assailant who had entered from Afghanistan.
- In the attack, four Chinese nationals were injured. The Chinese citizens were working in a gold mine in Tajikistan. Now, Chinese nationals have also become targets in this violence-ridden region. This is happening even as China is making multi-billion-dollar investments in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Pakistan. China is also setting up a military base inside Tajikistan.
China’s Interest In Afghanistan Lithium
- China has increased its influence in Afghanistan after the United States withdrew from the region. China has recognized the Taliban ambassador to Afghanistan and has also begun extracting oil from the country. According to the reports, China is aiming for Afghanistan’s vast mineral resources, including precious minerals like lithium and gold. Afghanistan is believed to have $1 trillion worth of mineral reserves.
- This is why China is investing heavily in Afghanistan’s mining sector. There is a significant global demand for lithium, and Afghanistan is said to have the potential to become the “Saudi Arabia” of lithium.
- Just like the growing demand for lithium to manufacture EVs, mobile phones, computers, power tools, and battery storage, China has mastered the extraction and refining of such minerals. China is also strengthening its ties with Afghanistan to take action against Uighur Muslim militants active in the Xinjiang province.
