CHINA TO SET UP MILITARY BASE IN AFGHANISTAN

China is reportedly building a military base in Afghanistan to carry out counterterrorism training. The base will be the second overseas site for the Chinese military. A year ago, a base opened in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa.

About 500 troops will train their Afghan counterparts in the Wakhan Corridor in the northeast province of Badakhshan, the South China Morning Post reported. Despite denials by the Chinese government, the report said work had already begun at the site.

China has long worried that instability in Afghanistan could spill into Xinjiang and damage its economic plans for a 21st century Silk Road in the region.