The foreign ministers of China and Afghanistan met in Beijng on Thursday and agreed to boost cooperation.

"China and Afghanistan are traditional friendly neighbors" who share mutual respect and support, said Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi in a meeting with Afghan Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta.

Beyond economic and trade cooperation, the two maintained close coordination in regional and international issues, Yang said.

China thanked Afghanistan for its support on Taiwan- and Tibet-related issues, said Yang, stressing that China was willing to further expand and deepen bilateral cooperation.

Spanta agreed, saying Afghanistan attached great importance to ties with China and appreciated China's active participation in the economic reconstruction of Afghanistan.

Spanta came to China for an official visit from June 9 to 12 at Yang's invitation.

(Xinhua News Agency June 11, 2009)