China Vows to Continue Support for Afghan Peace Process

China will, as always, give all possible support to the Afghan peace process and will actively take part in the nation's reconstruction, said Foreign Ministry Spokesman Kong Quan on Thursday at a regular press conference.

Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan, who is now in Afghanistan on an official visit, held talks with Afghan Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah and met with Chairman of the Afghan interim government Hamid Karzai; and he also signed three documents on bilateral economic cooperation with the Afghan interim government on behalf of the Chinese government, Kong noted.

Kong quoted Tang as saying that China sincerely hoped that all parties in Afghanistan would focus on protecting the interests of the country and people, and elect a transitional government representing the interests of all ethnic groups at the impending loya jirgah, or national council.

Tang noted that China and Afghanistan had maintained a long-term friendship and, on the Afghan issue, China had only one goal, that is, to promote the Afghan peace and redevelopment.

While in Pakistan prior his visit to Afghanistan, Tang held talks with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shahrayar Khan and met with President Pervez Musharraf. Tang conferred with Pakistani leaders on the Afghan issue, and he expressed China's readiness to provide the Afghan interim government and people with all its support and assistance within its capabilities, Kong said.

( May 17, 2002)