China invests in Afghan development

The housing project underlines Beijing's rising profile in the region

KABUL - Afghan authorities expect work on the first phase of a multimillion-dollar housing project financed by China to begin within months, as Beijing continues to raise its development profile in the region.

The project, originally announced in 2015 during a visit to Kabul by Chinese Vice-President Li Yuanchao, is expected to see construction of 10,000 housing units for Afghan civil servants after the project was cleared by both governments last week.