Afghanistan borders the Xinjiang region of China. This region is home to 11 million Turkic-speaking ethnic Muslim Uighurs. It is therefore not surprising that the Chinese are interested in what goes on generally in Afghanistan. China is particularly concerned because in the last decade the region became a cauldron of ethnic violence as members of the Uighur group adopted extreme measures in protesting against Beijing’s heavy-handed rule.
It is only logical then that China has decided to build a military camp in Afghanistan to help to fight terrorism as Beijing seeks a more active role in the region’s security. The camp will have at least 500 Chinese soldiers who will help train Afghans in counter terrorism.
This is in furtherance of China's new policy of having overseas military presences as it seeks to protect its growing interests and assets.
Until recent times China deliberately kept away from Afghanistan. However, the central Asian country has of late become important for Beijing because it is part of China’s massive trade and infrastructure plan, the Belt and Road Initiative, spearheaded by President Xi.
Not uncharacteristically, hundreds of people have been killed in violent attacks launched by Uighur militants. Beijing responded by waging a war on terrorism in Xinjiang and locking up as many as one million Uighurs, seen as potential troublemakers.
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