China Monday pledged to push its military ties with Afghanistan up to a new level.

 

China is committed to developing its military ties with Afghanistan, and will continue efforts to upgrade such relations, Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan said in a meeting Monday with his Afghan counterpart Abdul Rahim Wardak.

 

China and Afghanistan are close neighbors, while the two peoples have enjoyed traditional friendship, said Cao, who is also vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and state councilor.

 

He said China respects Afghanistan's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the development path the Afghan people have chosen for themselves.

 

China has actively participated in Afghanistan's political and economic reconstruction, he stated.

 

Wardak said the Afghan government and its armed forces are grateful to China's precious support. Afghanistan regards China as a reliable neighbor and partner, and is ready to enhance bilateral coordination, and further bilateral military ties and all-round relations, he said.

 

Wardak is accompanying Afghan President Hamid Karzai on a four-day state visit as guest of Chinese President Hu Jintao. Karzai is expected to hold talks with Hu and meet with other Chinese leaders, including Wu Bangguo and Jia Qinglin.

 

(Xinhua News Agency June 19, 2006)