Chinese troops in Afghanistan?

via Military Times

 There is mounting evidence that Chinese ground troops are operating inside Afghanistan, conducting joint counter-terror patrols with Afghan forces along a 50-mile stretch of their shared border and fueling speculation that Beijing is preparing to play a significantly greater role in the country's security once the U.S. and NATO leave.
The full scope of China's involvement remains unclear, and the Pentagon is unwilling to discuss it. “We know that they are there, that they are present,” a Pentagon spokesman said. Yet beyond a subtle acknowledgement, U.S. military officials in Washington and in Kabul would not respond to several detailed questions submitted by Military Times. 

Story here.

Interesting.  It seems that China is feeling the sting of radical Islam.  Fighting in Afghanistan is a minor protective measure.  Controlling Pakistan would be more helpful over the long run.