China Ready to Extend Belt & Road Initiative in Afghanistan

China on Friday said that cooperation with Afghanistan on BRI has delivered tangible benefits and the country under Taliban rule will provide a good environment for foreign investors.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a media briefing on Friday: "Afghan Taliban believes that the BRI is good for development and the prosperity in Afghanistan and the broader region."

Taliban, meanwhile, described China as their most important partner and said that Beijing is ready to invest and rebuild the country.

The BRI was launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping when he came to power in 2013. It aims to link Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Gulf region, Africa, and Europe with a network of land and sea routes.

Besides BRI, experts said China is also looking to exploit Afghanistan's rich minerals and highly lucrative rare-earth mines.