Hu meets president of Afghanistan, vowing further partnership

Source: | 08-08-2008 14:49

BEIJING, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao said here on Friday that China is willing to work together with Afghanistan to further their partnership of all-round cooperation.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) shakes hands with  President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai during their  meeting in Beijing, China, Aug. 8, 2008. Hamid Karzai  is here to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing  Olympic Games and other events. (Xinhua Photo)

"China and Afghanistan enjoy a traditional friendship and sound relations," Hu said during a meeting with President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai.

He said the Chinese side is willing to work together with Afghanistan to actively implement the Good-neighborly Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation and push forward the partnership of all-round cooperation.

The Chinese side respects the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Afghanistan, respects its own choice of development path and supports Afghanistan's efforts to safeguard national security and stability, Hu said.

China attaches great importance to, and takes an active part, in Afghanistan's reconstruction, he said. "We're willing to support within our capability."

Karzai expressed thanks for China's assistance to its reconstruction, saying that Afghanistan would enjoy a better future thanks to the support from the international society, including China.