China yesterday reiterated its consistent stand on participating
in Afghanistan's reconstruction process while expressing thanks for
the neighboring country's support in helping fight the "East
Turkistan" terrorists in northwest China.
"China appreciates Afghanistan's valuable support in such issues
concerning China's core interests as Taiwan, human rights and
fighting 'East Turkistan' terrorists," said Chinese top advisor Jia Qinglin.
Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's
Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made the remarks while meeting with
Sibghatullah Mojaddedi, speaker of Afghanistan's upper house, the
House of Elders.
China will as always respect Afghanistan's sovereignty and
territorial integrity, respect the development path chosen by the
Afghan government and people, support and actively participate in
Afghanistan's peaceful reconstruction and support Afghanistan
playing a bigger role in regional and international affairs, said
Jia.
He said the CPPCC will work closely with the House of Elders to
facilitate China-Afghanistan relations.
Peace, stability and development constitute the common
aspiration of the international community and comply with the
interests of all sides, said Chinese top legislator Wu Bangguo in a separate meeting with Mojaddedi
yesterday.
Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's
Congress (NPC), described the year of 2006 as "an
important year in China-Afghanistan relations," saying the
good-neighborly treaty signed between the two countries will lift
bilateral comprehensive partnership to a new level and create new
opportunities for deepening bilateral relations.
The NPC, China's top legislature, ratified last October the
Good-neighborly Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation with
Afghanistan, which was signed by Chinese President Hu Jintao and
Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Beijing in June 2006.
The treaty will consolidate China-Afghanistan ties, and be
helpful in maintaining peace in Afghanistan and fighting "East
Turkistan" terrorists in northwest China, analysts said.
(Xinhua News Agency January 20, 2007)
