Hu meets president of Afghanistan, vowing further partnership

BEIJING, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao said here on Friday that China is willing to work together with Afghanistan to further their partnership of all-round cooperation.
"China and Afghanistan enjoy a traditional friendship and sound relations," Hu said during a meeting with President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai.

He said the Chinese side is willing to work together with Afghanistan to actively implement the Good-neighborly Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation and push forward the partnership of all-round cooperation.

The Chinese side respects the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Afghanistan, respects its own choice of development path and supports Afghanistan's efforts to safeguard national security and stability, Hu said.

China attaches great importance to, and takes an active part, in Afghanistan's reconstruction, he said. "We're willing to support within our capability."

Karzai expressed thanks for China's assistance to its reconstruction, saying that Afghanistan would enjoy a better future thanks to the support from the international society, including China.

Karzai is here to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games on Friday night and other activities.

During the meeting, Hu expressed appreciation for Afghanistan's support for the Beijing Olympics, and the "profound friendship" that President Karzai, the Afghan government and people have offered to the Chinese people after the devastating earthquake in Wenchuan of Sichuan Province.

The quake was one "causing the most serious damages, affecting the most extensive areas and posing the greatest difficulty in disaster relief" since the founding of New China, said the Chinese president.

China's relief efforts have been shifted to post-quake reconstruction, Hu told Karzai.

"Despite the difficulties, China has the confidence to achieve an overall victory in earthquake relief and help the people in the quake-hit areas to rebuild their beautiful homes at an early date with the assistance of the international community," Hu said.

In response, Karzai said he felt honored to lead a delegation to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, adding the Olympic preparations demonstrate China's tremendous capability.
Xinhuanet