China on Friday reiterated its consistent stand on participating in Afghanistan's reconstruction process while expressing thanks for the neighboring country's support in helping fight the "East Turkistan" terrorists in western China.

"China appreciates Afghanistan's valuable support in such issues concerning China's core interests as Taiwan, human rights and fighting 'East Turkistan' terrorists," said Chinese top advisor Jia Qinglin.

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made the remarks while meeting with Sibgatullah Mojaddedi, president of Afghanistan's upper house House of Elders.

China will as always respect Afghanistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, respect the development path chosen by the Afghan government and people, support and actively participate in Afghanistan's peaceful reconstruction and support Afghanistan playing a bigger role in regional and international affairs, said Jia.

Jia said the CPPCC, Chinese parliament's advisory body, will work closely with the the House of Elders to facilitate China-Afghanistan relations.

Peace, stability and development constitute the common aspiration of the international community and comply with the interests of all sides, said Chinese top legislator Wu Bangguo in a separate meeting with Mojaddedi on Friday.

Wu described the year of 2006 as "an important year in China-Afghanistan relations", saying the good-neighborly treaty signed between the two countries will lift bilateral comprehensive partnership to a new level and create new opportunities for deepening bilateral relations.

China's top legislature in October ratified the Good-neighborly Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation with Afghanistan, which was signed by Chinese President Hu Jintao and Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Beijing in June.

The treaty will consolidate China-Afghanistan ties, and be helpful in maintaining peace in Afghanistan and to fight "East Turkistan" terrorists in western China, analysts said. Endtiem

Source: Xinhua