KABUL - China has renewed its support for Afghanistan’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and the ongoing reconstruction effort, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, at a meeting with his Afghan counterpart on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, reiterated Beijing’s policy of supporting an Afghan-led reconciliation process.

According to a statement from the ministry, Wang called China and Afghanistan traditional allies, felicitating Zalmai Rassoul on the achievements and reconstruction that the Afghan people had marked over the past decade.

The ministers underlined the significance of President Hamid Karzai’s ongoing visit to China in strengthening, deepening ties and cooperation in all areas between the two countries, including trade.

Rassoul said the Afghans viewed as China a historic and strong friend that had always maintained a positive, supportive and constructive approach towards their country. “China has stood with us during difficult times, and we consider it a real friend of Afghanistan.”

Rassoul and Wang also stressed the need for closer and constructive role of all of Afghanistan’s neighbors in the years up to and beyond 2014.

Both sides stressed the importance of the Istanbul Process for regional cooperation and the significance of the next ministerial meeting to be hosted by the government of China next summer. (Pajhwok)