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2012-06-11 13:26:43(Beijing Time) SINA.com

Speculations are running wild since China-hosted 12th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)
summit June 6-7, that China may extend its influence in Afghanistan after the United States draws
down its forces in the country by 2014.

If necessary, China may deploys troops into the country through the Wakhan Corridor, a communication
that links Afghanistan and China, once the United States has scaled back its presence in Afghanistan.

A delegation led by Afghan president Hamid Karzai was invited by President Hu Jintao to attend the
annual summit that took place in Beijing. The organization is an intergovernmental mutual security
bloc founded a decade ago by China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.



China, along with other members, granted Afghanistan observer status to the organization on June 7.
And a joint declaration between Afghanistan and China to exchange intelligence and strengthen
cooperation against terrorism, illegal immigration, illegal arms and drug trafficking was signed by Hu and
Karzai on June 8 after a series of talks between the two leaders at the Great Hall of the People in central
Beijing.


Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (C, front) meets with defense ministers from Shanghai
Cooperation Organization (SCO) members, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan
and Uzbekistan, and officials from the SCO Secretariat and the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure,
in Beijing, capital of China, April 24, 2012

Some western analysts believe that countries including China, Iran, Pakistan and Russia may step up
involvement in Afghanistan following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, forming a "NATO of the East."

By the Joint Declaration signed by the two leaders, China and Afghanistan will enhance coordination and
cooperation under the United Nations and other multilateral frameworks, stay in contacts and coordinate
positions on major regional and international issues. The establishment of China-Afghanistan Strategic
and Cooperative Partnership is aimed to further deepen the traditional friendship and cooperation between
the two countries.

Also, China will offer to add something positive to the post-war reconstruction in Afghanistan, on the basis
that both sides will fully respect and accommodate regional countries' reasonable concerns and interests,
and work to promote regional peace, stability and development.