China on Tuesday expressed its hope that Afghanistan could take the path of peace and stability at an early date as the vote-counting of the Afghan presidential election is underway.

"As a neighbor and friend of Afghanistan, we sincerely hope that it will take the path of peace, stability and development at an early date," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu at a regular press conference.

Jiang made the remarks in response to a question on the Afghan presidential election, the second presidential election in the post-Taliban country, which was held on Aug. 20 amid tight security as the Taliban insurgents vowed to derail it.

Incumbent President Hamid Karzai was leading after early vote counting, but it would take a couple of weeks before the final result could be announced because of allegations of fraud in the elections and the restless situation in the country.

"We have noticed that the Afghan presidential election is being held peacefully and successfully, for which China feels gratified," said Jiang.

"The election falls into the internal affairs of Afghanistan, and China respects the choice of the Afghan people," Jiang said.

(Xinhua News Agency September 1, 2009)