Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua) — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Beijing on Wednesday.
Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, welcomed A.H. Muttaqi’s visit, which coincides with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. He stressed that China and Afghanistan, as traditional friendly neighbors, always support and understand each other.
“China respects the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan, as well as the independent choice of the Afghan people,” Wang said, stressing that China will continue to support the Afghan government in achieving long-term peace and stability in the country at an early date.
Wang Yi added that China is willing to work with the Afghan side to develop traditional friendship, strengthen political mutual trust and deepen practical cooperation so as to bring more benefits to the two countries and their peoples, and contribute to regional peace and stability.
According to him, China is ready to increase cooperation with Afghanistan in the areas of economy and trade, agriculture, energy, mining, poverty reduction, disaster prevention, personnel training, healthcare, law enforcement and security.
The Chinese side intends to increase imports of high-quality Afghan products and provide all possible support in restoring Afghanistan’s economy and improving the living conditions of its population, the minister said.
A.H. Muttaqi, in turn, thanked China for its valuable assistance in developing Afghanistan and improving the living conditions of the Afghan people over a long period of time, as well as for its advocacy of justice for Afghanistan in the international arena.
He stressed that the Afghan government values the traditional friendship between Afghanistan and China, attaches great importance to relations with China in its foreign policy, and will continue to firmly adhere to the one-China principle and firmly oppose interference in China’s internal affairs.
A. H. Muttaqi noted that the Afghan side is ready to deepen mutual trust with China and contribute to achieving greater positive results in cooperation in various areas. “Afghanistan attaches great importance to China’s security issues and will under no circumstances allow Afghan territory to be used for activities that threaten China’s security,” he stressed.
Afghanistan is ready to step up cooperation with China in the security sphere, jointly combat violent crimes and ensure security and stability in the region, added A.H. Muttaqi. -0-