A Chinese worker was killed in Afghanistan

A Chinese worker was killed in Takhar Province in northern Afghanistan, with ISIS claiming responsibility for the incident.
According to Voice of America, police in Takhar Province reported on January 22 the killing of a Chinese citizen and the initiation of a preliminary investigation, amid increasing Chinese influence in Afghanistan. Reuters noted that the Chinese worker's translator was unharmed.
After the U.S. military withdrawal in August 2021, the Taliban restored a degree of security in the war-torn country, but attacks continued. ISIS had previously attacked a hotel in Kabul frequented by Chinese investors in 2022.
ISIS's Khorasan branch claimed responsibility, stating they killed the Chinese citizen with an automatic weapon. Taliban officials confirmed the victim worked for a mining company in Afghanistan.
A police official reported the Chinese national was traveling by car with his translator to the Dasht-e Qala area on Tuesday evening when armed attackers ambushed them. The official noted foreign visitors should inform local police before traveling, which the Chinese worker had not done.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning responded: "We are deeply shocked and strongly condemn this," requesting a comprehensive investigation and prosecution of the perpetrators.