A Chinese mine worker was killed in Afghanistan’s Takhar province near the Tajikistan border on January 21, 2025. The victim, identified as Li, was traveling with an interpreter when unknown assailants attacked him. However, the interpreter escaped unharmed.
The National Mobilization Front, an anti-Taliban resistance group, later claimed responsibility for the attack. They alleged Li collaborated with Taliban intelligence, though no evidence supported their claim.
This incident highlights growing risks for foreign nationals in Afghanistan, where such attacks have been rare since 2021. Meanwhile, China maintains significant interests in Afghanistan, particularly its vast mineral resources.
In 2023, Afghanistan signed mining contracts with China to extract iron ore, lead, zinc, and gold in Takhar province. Despite Taliban efforts to project stability, such attacks raise concerns about the country’s safety for foreign investments.
Previously, Islamic State militants targeted a Chinese-owned hotel in Kabul in December 2022. Following that attack, China urged its citizens to leave Afghanistan.
After this killing, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson assured that their embassy would prioritize protecting Chinese citizens abroad. This tragic incident further underscores the challenges Afghanistan faces in attracting and securing international investments.
