US seeks bigger role for China in Afghanistan

BEIJING - A high-ranking US official has expressed hope that China will contribute more to the reconstruction of war-torn Afghanistan.

Washington wants Beijing to "coordinate more" with its efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert Blake said on Tuesday after completing a two-day visit.

He made the remarks about a month before the international coalition forces' planned offensive against Kandahar, considered the spiritual home of the Taliban, in southern Afghanistan.