ANKARA

Gunmen killed a Chinese coal mine worker in an attack in Afghanistan, according to an Afghan official Wednesday.

“Unknown” armed men opened fire and killed the Chinese worker who was traveling on Tuesday in northern Takhar province which borders Tajikistan, Taleban's Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani told reporters.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning refused to confirm or deny the report about the worker’s death.

"I'm not clear about what you mentioned, but I believe our embassy in Afghanistan will do its best to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens and should be following up on the situation,” she told reporters in Beijing.

The Chinese national was a business owner with a contract for mine operations in Afghanistan.

The incident occurred one day after Kabul celebrated 70 years of diplomatic ties between China and Afghanistan.

Despite security concerns, Beijing has emerged as a potential investment partner in Afghanistan, which is touting its vast but untapped natural resources to strengthen its dismal economy and attract foreign investment.

At least five Chinese nationals were wounded in a brazen attack on a Kabul hotel in a 2022. ISIS (Daesh) claimed responsibility for the attack.