The Chinese embassy in Kabul on Sunday resumed its visa services after a suspension of nearly 10 years.

Applicants lined up even before the office opened at 9 am (0430 GMT). Previously they had to travel to Pakistan for Chinese visas.

Haji Payinda Mohammad, who was the first in line, said he had been waiting for a Chinese visa for five months. He said he was very happy that with the resumption of the visa services in Kabul, he does not have to travel to Pakistan any more.

Ji Tao, an embassy official responsible for visa services, said that 23 application forms were handed out in the morning.

A single entry visa costs 400,000 afghanis, or US$10.

The resumption of visa services in Kabul was agreed on during Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan's visit to Afghanistan on May 15.

(Xinhua News Agency June 3, 2002)