China's top legislator, Wu Bangguo, pledged Monday to enhance the comprehensive partnership of cooperation with Afghanistan.

Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), the country's top legislature, made the remarks when meeting with Mohammad Yunus Qanooni, speaker of the Wolesi Jirga (lower house of parliament) of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

"We are ready to work with Afghanistan to jointly combat terrorism and drug-related crimes, and to expand economic and trade cooperation, in a bid to benefit the two peoples," Wu said.

Hailing the 54-year diplomatic tie, Wu said China and Afghanistan had made new progress in bilateral cooperation in infrastructure construction, resources exploitation, and anti-drugand anti-terrorism operations.

Wu said China respected Afghanistan's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. China also respected the Afghan people's willingness and choice, and actively supported and took part in the country's economic reconstruction.

Wu also applauded Afghanistan's persistent support for China on issues relating to Taiwan, Tibet, human rights, and in combating "Eastern Turkistan" terrorist forces.

Wu said the NPC valued its friendly exchanges with the Afghan National Assembly. He hoped that both sides would maintain the momentum of bilateral exchanges and increase cooperation between the special committees, so as to help promote China-Afghanistan ties.

Qanooni said to push forward relations with China was a common desire of the Afghan government and people, and occupied an important position in the country's foreign relations.

Expressing appreciation for China's aid, Qanooni said Afghanistan would work with China to increase cooperation in the fields of anti-terrorism, anti-drug, economy, trade, and investment.

The Afghan National Assembly would expand exchanges and cooperation with China's NPC, the speaker said.

Qanooni reiterated that Afghanistan firmly adhered to the one-China policy.

The speaker was here on an official goodwill visit from June 21 to 25 at the invitation of Wu.

Source: Xinhua