Photo:VCG

Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone conversation with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Friday, expressing China's support for the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and chairman of the Central Military Commission, pointed out that China and Afghanistan are traditional friendly neighbors and have always understood and helped each other. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, the people of the two countries have stood together and helped each other, deepening their friendship and cooperation.

China is ready to continue to provide support and assistance to Afghanistan in its fight against the COVID-19 epidemic. It is hoped that Afghanistan will strengthen the security protection for Chinese citizens and institutions in Afghanistan, Xi said. 

Xi stressed that China firmly supports the Afghan government in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, which is in the interests of the Afghan people and countries in the region.  

China always believes that political dialogue is the fundamental way to achieve national reconciliation and lasting peace in Afghanistan. China will continue to support the "Afghan-led and Afghan-owned" principle, the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan, and the peaceful reconstruction of Afghanistan at an early date, Xi said.   

China welcomes the positive consensus reached by the Afghan government and various domestic factions in the recent talks in Tehran, and hopes that the parties to the peace talks will put the interests of the Afghan people in mind and reach a political settlement at an early date through negotiations, Xi said. 

China will continue to play a constructive role in this regard, Xi noted. 

Ghani said China's successful efforts to contain the COVID-19 epidemic and its pioneering economic growth are great news for all countries around the world. 

Ghani expressed thanks to China for its support for Afghanistan and said he hopes to continue to advance cooperation with China in connectivity and other areas.  

Ghani said the Afghan government is committed to the political settlement of the current crisis and the realization of lasting peace in Afghanistan.  

China has always been an important and positive force in safeguarding regional security and stability, Ghani said, adding that he expects China will continue to play an important role in promoting the political settlement of the Afghan issue. 

Global Times