China and Afghanistan Hold a Webinar
 ( 2021.05.19 )

On May 19, China Center for Contemporary World Studies of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese Embassy in Afghanistan, and the Afghanistan-China Friendship Association jointly held a webinar themed on “looking back on the past 100 years and promoting peace together”. Nearly 100 people attended the webinar, including Song Tao, Minister of the International Department of CPC Central Committee, Abdullah Abdullah, Chairman of Afghanistan's High Council for National Reconciliation, Mohammad Mohaqiq, Leader of the People’s Islamic Unity Party, Rangin Dadfar Spanta, head of political committee of the Mehwar-e Mardom-e Afghanistan, Salahuddin Rabbani, Leader of Jamiat-e Islami Afghanistan, Sayed Gailani, leader of Islamic National Front of Afghanistan, and scholars from think tanks of China and Afghanistan.

Song Tao said, that the friendship between China and Afghanistan has a long history. In the new era, relations between our two countries have been continuously deepened under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, and have been further enhanced in mutually beneficial cooperation. China has always firmly supported the efforts of the Afghan people to safeguard independence, territorial integrity and national dignity, and supported the “Afghan-led, Afghan-owned” peace talks process. In recent years, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has maintained exchanges with major political parties and organizations in Afghanistan, playing a positive role in promoting the development of bilateral relations. The CPC is willing to strengthen strategic communication with the major political parties and organizations in Afghanistan, deepen exchange of experience in governance, firmly support each other on issues involving core interests, promote cooperation in combating epidemic and terrorism, and the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, and constantly consolidate the foundation of China-Afghanistan strategic cooperative partnership, so as to better benefit the two countries and peoples, and jointly safeguard regional and world peace and stability.

Song Tao elaborated on the development achievements and experience of the CPC in the past century, and said that the CPC has always taken the people-centered concept as its fundamental political stance and independently explored a development path that is in line with its national conditions. In particular, since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the CPC and the country have made historic achievements and change in their undertakings. This year also marks the 102nd anniversary of Afghanistan’s independence. Over the past century, Afghanistan has made great efforts to achieve national independence and peaceful development. At the new starting point, China will, as always, play a constructive role in facilitating Afghanistan’s efforts to restore peace and stability, achieve independent development and participate in regional cooperation.

Abdullah Abdullah and some other Afghan political party leaders warmly congratulated the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC, highly appraised the great achievements of the Chinese people led by the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, and said this has set a good example of development for other countries including Afghanistan. The Afghan side thanked the Chinese side for its firm support for the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan and China’s selfless help for Afghanistan’s economic and social development. The Afghan side said that it cherishes its traditional friendship with China, and looks forward to maintaining close communication with the CPC, deepening the exchange of experience, taking intra-party relations as the guidance to promote pragmatic cooperation in various fields such as economy, anti-epidemic and counter-terrorism, and making joint contributions to the peaceful development of the region.

Chen Zhou, Vice Minister of the International Department of CPC Central Committee, Wang Yu, Chinese Ambassador to Afghanistan, and Javid Ahmad Qaem, Afghan Ambassador to China, also attended the webinar.

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