Afghan President Hamid Karzai met with visiting Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing in his fortified palace on Sunday.  

Briefing the development of the reconstruction process in post-Taliban Afghanistan as well as the achievements made during the last three years, Karzai said the Afghan government hopes to improve trade, culture and education cooperation with China.

As the bilateral trade has been increasing his government welcomes Chinese companies to Afghanistan, said the president.

Li congratulated Karzai on the achievements of the peace process and the reconstruction efforts made by his government.

The Chinese government always encouraged qualified companies to invest in Afghanistan, showing the willingness to explore further cooperation for the mutual benefits of the two countries, added Li.

He also met with former Afghan King Mohammad Zahir Shah in the palace shortly after talks with Karzai.

The former king expressed his gratitude to the Chinese assistance whenever needed when recalling the traditional friendship between the two countries and his personal good relationship with late Chinese leaders in the early years.

Li thanked the former king for all his efforts in maintaining the friendship between the two countries.

Earlier in the day, Li met Afghan Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah on promoting further cooperation between the two governments.

Abdullah reiterated the stand on the one-China policy.

Li, who started his two-day visit on the eve of the Third Afghanistan Development Forum, is scheduled to deliver a speech at the forum on Monday.

(Xinhua News Agency April 4, 2005)