China’s Plans in Afghanistan Following US Troop Withdrawal

WASHINGTON - Military officials and security analysts foresee the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan — due for completion in the coming months — as an opportunity for China and Russia to compete for influence there.

“Afghanistan is clearly a place of interest” for China, Gen. Frank McKenzie, the commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), said during an interview with VOA in Egypt Tuesday. Sorry, but your browser cannot support embedded video of this type, you can download this video to view it offline. Noting China’s aggressive drive to build infrastructure across Asia and beyond, he said, “Anywhere you see [these projects] across the Middle East, that's where in fact nations are vulnerable. I think Afghanistan is going to be one of those areas as we go forward.” WATCH: Gen. Frank McKenzie Talks to VOA