China will continue to help Afghanistan with its economic reconstruction work, said top political advisor Jia Qinglin on Thursday.

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made the remarks when meeting with Sayed Hamed Gailani, first deputy speaker of the House of Elders of Afghan National Assembly.

"We always attach great importance to Afghanistan's economic reconstruction and take an active role in this area," Jia said.

Hailing the relations between China and Afghanistan, Jia said the two nations have supported each other since forging diplomatic ties 53 years ago.

Since the establishment of the new Afghan government, the two countries had witnessed increasing mutual trust in politics and positive progress in exchanges and cooperation in various areas, he noted.

Jia applauded Afghanistan's support of China during the Beijing Olympic Games and on issues such as Taiwan, Tibet and combating the terrorist forces of "East Turkistan".

The CPPCC would work with the House of Elders of Afghan National Assembly to increase exchanges in various areas, so as to jointly push forward the Sino-Afghan partnership of comprehensive cooperation.

Gailani said the Afghan people were grateful for China's unselfish assistance. Afghanistan would work with China to advance bilateral relations, he noted.

Abdul'ahat Abdulrixit, vice chairman of the National Committee of the CPPCC, also met with Gailani later on Thursday.

(Xinhua News Agency December 11, 2008)