Karzai: Afghanistan to keep its China policy unchanged

Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Saturday his country's policy of keeping good relations and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation with China will never change no matter what happens in Afghanistan's political situation. Karzai told visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that the government and people of Afghanistan are satisfied with the rapid growth and deepening of their relations with China over the past few years, and treasure all the more the bilateral ties. Wang, who arrived here for an official visit Saturday, said he made the visit in the crucial year of Afghanistan's transition just to convey the information that China attaches great importance to relations with Afghanistan. China will continue its policy towards Afghanistan and firmly support the country's political reconciliation and reconstruction, Wang said, expressing the belief that Afghanistan will realize a peaceful transition and make continuous progress in political reconciliation and reconstruction. In a separate meeting with Rangin Dadfar Spanta, Karzai's national security advisor, Wang said security cooperation goes in line with the common interest of China and Afghanistan and thus has become a major part of the strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries. China appreciated Afghanistan's efforts to crack down on the East Turkestan Islamic Movement and other terrorist forces, and was grateful to Afghanistan's efforts to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals and institutions in the country, Wang said, adding, "China hopes both sides would continue strengthening such cooperation." Noting that this year is crucial for Afghanistan's transition, Wang said the development in the situation of Afghanistan has a direct bearing on the fundamental interest of the Afghan people and regional peace and stability. "China firmly supports Afghanistan to realize a smooth transition and hopes Afghanistan's general election will go ahead smoothly as scheduled. China is willing to keep close communication with Afghanistanand work hard to facilitate Afghanistan's political reconciliation." Spanta said as a good neighbor of China, Afghanistan will keep its policy to cooperate with China to fight the "three evil forces, " including the East Turkestan Islamic Movement. Afghanistan appreciated China's consistent support to Afghanistan's political reconciliation process and expected China would continue to play a constructive role.