The Chinese government pledged on Wednesday a series of measures to help rebuild Afghanistan, including an ongoing US$150-million aid package, reduction of due debts owed by the Afghan government and US$1 million in material assistance.  

Addressing the International Conference on Afghanistan in Berlin, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said China will offer US$15 million to Afghanistan this year, following US$47 million in aid last year, under a 2002 commitment of US$150 million in donations within five years. "The rest will soon be put in place," Li said.

He said China has decided to "cancel all the Afghan government's due debts" and signed an agreement to the effect with the Afghan government during the conference.

Li said China will offer material assistance worth US$1 million for the upcoming election in Afghanistan, including tents, photocopiers and lighting equipment. China will also engage in local police training and regional drug control cooperation there, he added.

Referring to the construction of infrastructure in Afghanistan, Li said the project of Kabul Republic Hospital contracted by China is going on smoothly and so is an irrigation project on the Parwan River.

The foreign minister said China will encourage more domestic companies to open businesses in Afghanistan. He also pledged to help train Afghan diplomats and professionals in other fields.

(Xinhua News Agency April 1, 2004)