During his meeting with Deputy Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Karzai said that his visit to China last month is very successful and fruitful results have been achieved, according to a press release from the Chinese delegation.

Wang, who arrived Kabul earlier on Tuesday to attend a ceremony of reopening the Chinese Embassy scheduled on Wednesday, affirmed that China supports the efforts by the Afghan interim administration in keeping peace and starting rehabilitation.

He noted that the reopening of the Chinese Embassy will turn a new page in the history of Sino-Afghan relations. China will provide all the help it can to Afghanistan, he added.

"China is willing to develop a long-term stable neighborly and friendly relationship with Afghanistan based on the five principles of peaceful co-existence," Wang said.

During the meeting, Karzai expressed his thanks to China for its assistance and long-term support for the peace process in Afghanistan, stressing that he welcomes China to take part in his country's reconstruction.

Karzai also briefed Wang about the situation in Afghanistan. The Afghan leader said situation in his country is developing in a positive direction, expressing his confidence that peace and stability will sustain in his country with the efforts of people in his country and with the help of international community.

(Xinhua News Agency February 6, 2002)