China has signed security and economic agreements with Afghanistan during a rare trip to Kabul by a top Chinese official, in deals seen aimed at bolstering Beijing’s influence ahead of a Nato withdrawal of most combat forces by 2014.

. . . Zhou’s visit was the first to Afghanistan by a senior Chinese leader since 1966 and followed a visit by Karzai to Beijing in June when both countries agreed to co-operate on combating extremism in the region.    

. . . agreements on increased security and economic co-operation, including a deal to help “train, fund and equip Afghan police”.