China is ready to further promote mutually beneficial cooperation
with Afghanistan, says Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in Beijing
Wednesday.
China seeks no national interest in developing relations with
Afghanistan, and sincerely wishes for lasting peace, prosperity and
happiness in Afghanistan, Wen said during a meeting with Afghan
Vice-President Nimartullah Shaharani.
The two countries have maintained good relations since the
establishment of diplomatic ties 48 years ago, Wen said, noting
that China's friendly policy towards Afghanistan never changed,
even during the war in Afghanistan.
Since the establishment of the interim Afghan government, the two
countries have witnessed exchanges of high-level visits and signed
a declaration of good-neighborly relations, he said.
The Chinese Government has decided to provide US$150 million to
help Afghanistan's reconstruction and is offering aid for
construction of the Parwan irrigation project and the Republic
Hospital, he said.
China-Afghanistan
economic and trade cooperation is still in its initial stage, but
enjoys bright prospects, he said.
The new Chinese Government stands willing to continue to enhance
mutually beneficial cooperation with Afghanistan for further
development of bilateral relations, he said.
Shaharani said the friendship between the two countries is deeply
ingrained in the two peoples, adding that Afghanistan is proud to
have such a friendly neighbor as China. He expressed admiration for
China's achievements in recent years.
Afghanistan wants to study the Chinese Government's experience in
developing the country, and supports China's fight against the
severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), he said. China's success
in fighting SARS will be a contribution to the mankind, he
said.
He
thanked China for its aid and support for Afghanistan's
reconstruction.
He
said Chinese businesses are welcome to invest in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan is also looking forward to further exchanges and
cooperation with China in the fields of culture, education and
religious affairs, he said.
(Xinhua News Agency May 29, 2003)