The Chinese government has extended congratulations to the
foundation of the Afghan interim government and regards it as an
important step towards lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan,
said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue in Beijing on
Saturday.
The Chinese government has sent a message of congratulations to the
leaders of the Afghan interim government, and the Chinese Foreign
Ministry's working group in Kabul attended the interim government's
foundation ceremony on China's behalf, Zhang said.
Zhang said that China, as a neighbor of Afghanistan, has always
been concerned about the Afghan situation, and China, together with
the international community, has made unremitting efforts towards
an early solution to the Afghan issue.
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 tranquility 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
(US$3.6 million) 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.
(China
Daily December 23, 2001)