China Afghanistan Photo:VCG

China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang held a phone conversation with Amir Khan Muttaqi, acting foreign minister of the Afghan interim government, on Saturday, stressing that China hopes the Afghan side will take strong measures to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel and institutions in Afghanistan.

Qin said that China attaches great importance to the safety of Chinese personnel, institutions and projects in Afghanistan as the Spring Festival approaches, hoping the Afghan side will take strong measures to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel and institutions in Afghanistan.

Muttaqi sent Spring Festival greetings to Chinese people. He said that Afghanistan will never allow any force to use its territory to conduct activities that harm Afghanistan-China friendship and undermine China's interests. He noted that Afghanistan will resolutely combat terrorism in all forms and will take strong measures to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel and institutions in Afghanistan.

Qin said that China attaches great importance to developing good-neighborly, friendly and cooperative relations with Afghanistan and always respects the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan.

He pointed out that China respects the independent choice made by the Afghan people, their religious beliefs and national customs. China never interferes in Afghanistan's internal affairs, nor seeks any selfish gains in Afghanistan or the so-called sphere of influence.

According to Qin, China supports the Afghan interim government to build a broad and inclusive political structure, pursue moderate and prudent domestic and foreign policies, fight against all forms of terrorist forces, and establish and develop friendly relations with other countries, especially neighboring countries, he stressed.

"China sympathizes with the suffering of the Afghan people and is willing to provide more assistance to Afghanistan's economic and social development and improvement of people's livelihoods," Qin said.

Muttaqi said that the Afghan interim government adheres to the one-China principle, supports China in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He stressed that Afghanistan welcomes China to play a more important role in international and regional affairs and hopes to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China.