Afghanistan, China vow to further promote relationship

Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani met visiting Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao here Tuesday, with the two sides pledging to boost bilateral ties.

During the meeting, Li conveyed an oral message from Chinese President Xi Jinping to Ghani.

In the message, while offering sincere sympathies to the quake-affected Afghan people, the Chinese president said China has made a decision to provide the country with relief goods and cash.

The Chinese president also said in the message that China supports Afghan government's efforts to promote peace, stability and development in the country and will deepen pragmatic cooperation with Afghanistan in various fields.

During the talks, Li said China highly values its relations with Afghanistan and will maintain high-level meetings as well as exchanges of all levels to boost mutual understanding and trust.

Li also said, "China stands ready to implement bilateral collaboration projects in trade, investment and infrastructure, and to boost cooperation in fighting terrorism and drugs."

With regard to the Afghan peace and reconciliation process, Li pointed out that China supports the process and is ready to continue to play a constructive role.

Ghani, for his part, expressed gratitude for the Chinese president's message and China's assistance to the country's relief efforts, and he also appreciated China's support for the Afghan peace and reconciliation process.

He said Afghanistan hopes to further deepen cooperation with China so as to promote its socio-economic development.

The Chinese vice president paid a one-day official visit to Kabul. During his stay here, he also met with Afghan former President Hamid Karzai. Enditem