The Chinese government has extended congratulations to the foundation of the Afghan interim government and regards it as an important step towards lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue in Beijing on Saturday.

The Chinese government has sent a message of congratulations to the leaders of the Afghan interim government, and the Chinese Foreign Ministry's working group in Kabul attended the interim government's foundation ceremony on China's behalf, Zhang said.

Zhang said that China, as a neighbor of Afghanistan, has always been concerned about the Afghan situation, and China, together with the international community, has made unremitting efforts towards an early solution to the Afghan issue.

China sincerely hopes all parties in Afghanistan will give priority to the country's needs and to peace, firmly implementing the agreement, and acting towards a national reconciliation so as to start national reconstruction and restore peace and tranquility to the country as soon as possible, said Zhang.

Zhang noted that China will continue to support the important role played by the United Nations in working towards peace in Afghanistan.

China and Afghanistan have maintained friendly ties, and the Chinese government will actively develop the bilateral relations with Afghan interim government, the spokeswoman stated, adding that Chinese government has recently decided to donate 30 million yuan (US$3.6 million) for urgent humanitarian aid to the interim government of Afghanistan.

China will also take an active part in Afghanistan's postwar reconstruction as the situation in the country improves, said Zhang.

(China Daily December 23, 2001)