Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing held talks in Beijing Wednesday with Afghan Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah.  

Li said the recent years have witnessed a smooth development of the Sino-Afghan relationship, and China is willing to further exchanges with Afghanistan at different levels and in various spheres.

Li also expressed appreciation for the country's support of China's stances on the Taiwan issue and the "East Turkistan" terrorism.

At the critical moment in its peace and reconstruction process, Afghanistan needs international attention and commitment besides its domestic efforts, said Li. He said China supports the country's efforts to promote national reconciliation, maintain stability and revive the economy, and will continue to provide as much help as possible in the reconstruction process.

Abdullah said the Afghan government highlights the Sino-Afghan relationship and he thanked China for its assistance in the peace and reconstruction process.

He reiterated that the Afghan government will stick to the one-China policy, support China's opposition to Taiwan's "referendum" aimed at independence, and cooperate with China to crack down on the "East Turkistan" terrorist forces.

(Xinhua News Agency March 11, 2004)