China Pledges Help in Afghan Reconstruction -- china.org.cn

China yesterday reiterated its consistent stand on participating in Afghanistan's reconstruction process while expressing thanks for the neighboring country's support in helping fight the "East Turkistan" terrorists in northwest China.

"China appreciates Afghanistan's valuable support in such issues concerning China's core interests as Taiwan, human rights and fighting 'East Turkistan' terrorists," said Chinese top advisor Jia Qinglin.

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made the remarks while meeting with Sibghatullah Mojaddedi, speaker of Afghanistan's upper house, the House of Elders.

China will as always respect Afghanistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, respect the development path chosen by the Afghan government and people, support and actively participate in Afghanistan's peaceful reconstruction and support Afghanistan playing a bigger role in regional and international affairs, said Jia.

He said the CPPCC will work closely with the House of Elders to facilitate China-Afghanistan relations.

Peace, stability and development constitute the common aspiration of the international community and comply with the interests of all sides, said Chinese top legislator Wu Bangguo in a separate meeting with Mojaddedi yesterday.

Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), described the year of 2006 as "an important year in China-Afghanistan relations," saying the good-neighborly treaty signed between the two countries will lift bilateral comprehensive partnership to a new level and create new opportunities for deepening bilateral relations.

The NPC, China's top legislature, ratified last October the Good-neighborly Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation with Afghanistan, which was signed by Chinese President Hu Jintao and Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Beijing in June 2006.

The treaty will consolidate China-Afghanistan ties, and be helpful in maintaining peace in Afghanistan and fighting "East Turkistan" terrorists in northwest China, analysts said.

(Xinhua News Agency January 20, 2007)