Xi pledges closer China-Afghanistan security cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) shakes hands with his Afghan counterpart Ashraf Ghani in Ufa, Russia, July 10, 2015. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

UFA, Russia, July 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met here Friday with his Afghan counterpart, Ashraf Ghani, and pledged to beef up security cooperation between the two countries.

"Strengthening security cooperation is in the common interests of China and Afghanistan," Xi said at the meeting, which was held on the sidelines of the 15th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit.

The Chinese side, he added, will continue to provide Afghanistan with assistance in security supplies, technology, equipment and training.

Xi hailed the growing bilateral cooperation since Ghani's China visit last October, noting that relevant China-aided projects in Afghanistan are recording smooth progress.

"This year marks the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations, and is also the Year of China-Afghanistan Friendly Cooperation," Xi said.

China, he added, stands ready to work with Afghanistan to expand communication and cooperation at various levels, enhance mutual understanding and friendship, and strive for more fruit in bilateral cooperation.

China appreciates Afghanistan's support for China's Belt and Road initiative and welcomes the country's participation in relevant cooperation, the president said.

On the Afghan conflict, Xi pointed out that it is a realistic solution to the protracted issue to achieve an extensive and inclusive national reconciliation.

China backs an "Afghan-led, Afghan-owned" reconciliation process and is willing to work with all parties involved to play a constructive role in pursuing an early solution to the Afghan issue, said Xi.

China, he added, supports the SCO in playing its due role in resolving the Afghan issue and encourages the SCO member states to boost cooperation with Afghanistan in fighting drug-trafficking and training law enforcement personnel.

The SCO, founded in 2001, currently has China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as full members, with Afghanistan, India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan as observers and Belarus, Turkey and Sri Lanka as dialogue partners.

For his part, Ghani said Afghanistan and China are neighbors with time-honored friendship, and the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic ties is a good opportunity to deepen bilateral friendly cooperation.

Ghani thanked the Chinese side for supporting Afghanistan's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, its endeavors for peace, security and stability, and its peace process.

Afghanistan is willing to make joint efforts with China to safeguard regional peace and stability, he said.

Noting that China's Belt and Road initiative is of vital importance to Afghanistan, Ghani said his country will actively participate in relevant projects and looks forward to more Chinese investment in Afghanistan's infrastructure.