Afghan President Hamid Karzai praised China on Thursday for its role in helping the reconstruction of Afghanistan.
"China is very close to Afghanistan, and also a long-time friend of Afghanistan," Karzai said at a press conference after meeting with leaders of NATO nations and UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon and other high-level representatives of international organizations, including the World Bank and the European Union.
He said this in reply to a question as to what kind of role China could play in Afghanistan.
He said that China, one of the biggest trade partners of Afghanistan, has made big contribution to the reconstruction, development of his country and "training of our people."
"China has a very significant role to play for the stability of Afghanistan and the region," Karzai said.
NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said that NATO had good relations with China.
"Regarding China, we have good relations between China and NATO. And our relationship is developing in a positive manner," he told the same press conference.
The meeting on Afghanistan was held on the second day of a three-day NATO summit, which has focused on enlargement of the alliance and its role in Afghanistan.
Source: Xinhua
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