Fifth, provide stronger external support. Without support and assistance from the international community, especially from regional countries, Afghanistan will not be able to achieve genuine peace and stability. The international community should give firm support so Afghanistan can develop external relations on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit and, in particular, strengthen good-neighborly relations with other countries in the region. It should support Afghanistan in taking an active part in regional and international cooperation to integrate more deeply into regional economic cooperation. It should help Afghanistan build up its security capacity and support the United Nations in playing a leading role in coordinating international assistance, so that assistance efforts from various parties may complement and reinforce each other and form synergy.

China and Afghanistan have been neighbors from generation to generation. "Neighbors wish each other well, just as family members do". Peace and stability in Afghanistan have a direct bearing on China's security and stability. The Chinese government has firmly supported and actively participated in the Afghan peace and reconstruction process. Since 2001, China has exempted Afghanistan's matured debts, provided 1.52 billion yuan ($241 million) in grant assistance, and built a number of major projects to the benefit of the Afghan people's livelihood. These include the Kabul Republic Hospital, Parwan Hydraulic Project Rehabilitation Work, the National Education Center of Science and Technology, and the complex of the Chinese Language Department of Kabul University. China has also trained more than 1,000 Afghan professionals in various fields. China will continue to provide necessary assistance and support to Afghanistan, do what it can as a neighbor and fulfill its due responsibilities as a big developing country.

China firmly pursues a policy of friendship with Afghanistan, and remains committed to deepening mutually-beneficial cooperation with Afghanistan in various fields and promoting steady progress of the Strategic and Cooperative Partnership between the two countries.

China firmly supports Afghanistan in advancing the peace and reconciliation process, and will continue to play a constructive role in this process.

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