Afghanistan celebrates 60th anniversary of Sino-Afghan diplomatic relations

Two ceremonies marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the Year of Friendship and Cooperation between China and Afghanistan were held here Tuesday by the Presidential Palace and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs separately.

Chinese Ambassador to Afghanistan Deng Xijun said during the ceremony held in the Afghan Foreign Ministry that both China and Afghanistan will continue to work together for a brighter future of bilateral relations.

"The friendship between China and Afghanistan has a long history and has withstood the tests of time," the ambassador said, adding the Silk Road linked the two peoples together 2,000 years ago.

In recent years, China has actively supported the Afghan peaceful reconstruction process within its own capacity, ambassador Deng said, adding that China has built important projects such as Jamhoriat (Republic) hospital, the teaching building of the Chinese Language Department and the Guest House of Kabul University in the country.

"Both countries have conducted good cooperation in security and counter-terrorism, "ambassador Deng went on to say, "Now China- Afghanistan relationship is standing at a new historical starting point and facing new opportunities for further development."

The ambassador added that both countries should make active efforts to advance the relations in areas including cooperation of trade and investment, security and high-level exchanges.

In a ceremony held in Arg or the Presidential Palace to mark the day after the Chinese ambassador announced a congratulatory message from Chinese President Xi Jinping to Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, the Afghan president described China as a good friend of his country in the course of history. "China has always remained a good friend of Afghanistan over the past 60 years and publishing Chinese-Pashtu dictionary is a sign of friendship," President Ghani said in his address at the ceremony.

He also conferred the honor medal of Sayed Jamaluddin Afghan to Chinese professor Che Hongcai in recognition of his services in Pashto field and publishing Chinese-Pashtu dictionary.

Expressing gratitude to China for according warm welcome during his visit to China last year, President Ghani expressed hope that Beijing could play proactive role in Afghan peace process, adding lasting peace in Afghanistan would benefit Afghanistan, China and the whole region.

He also said that reviving the Silk Road belt is essential for economic development in the region and Asia can become an economic center of the world in the future.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Executive of the Afghan government Abdullah Abdullah expressed gratitude to China for its contribution to Afghanistan over the past years and hoped for further enhancing relations between the two countries in the coming years. Endi