Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, December 23, 2001
Chinese Gov't Greets Afghan PM Karzai
The Chinese government congratulated Afghan Prime Minister Hamid Karzai Saturday on his swearing-in and the establishment of Afghanistan's interim government.
The Chinese government congratulated Afghan Prime Minister Hamid Karzai Saturday on his swearing-in and the establishment of Afghanistan's interim government.
In a telegram sent to Karzai, the Chinese government said it would like to offer warm greetings, through the new Afghan leader,to the Afghan people.
"The establishment of the interim government is a vital step towards peace. We do hope that Afghanistan can achieve peace and stability as soon as possible under the leadership of the interim government headed by Your Excellency," it said.
It also promised to develop a relationship of friendly cooperation with Afghanistan on the basis of the five principles of peaceful co-existence.
China Applauds Foundation of Afghan Interim Government
China, as a neighbor of Afghanistan, has alwaysbeen concerned about the Afghan situation, and China, together with the international community, has made unremitting efforts towards an early solution to the Afghan issue, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue in Beijing Saturday.
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 tranquillity 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 (about 3.6 million U.S. dollars) 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.