Taliban And China Firm Agree Afghanistan Oil Extraction Deal 

Afghanistan's Taliban government is to sign a contract with a Chinese firm to drill for oil in the country's north. <br />The 25-year deal underscores China's economic involvement in the region. <br />Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid says the oil extraction agreement would see Xinjiang Central Asia Petroleum and Gas Company drilling for oil in the Amu Darya basin. <br />A Chinese state-owned company is also in talks over the operation of a copper mine in the east of the country.