Reply #106: China pledges to cement ties with Afghanistan as FM visits Beijing

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http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-05/10/c_13868402.htm

BEIJING, May 10 (Xinhua) -- China's officials reaffirmed China's commitment to seeking stronger ties with Afghanistan on Tuesday during meetings with the country's foreign minister.

"China would like to work with Afghanistan to cement coordination on important international and regional issues," Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang told Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmay Rasoul on Tuesday.

Rasoul came to Beijing on Monday for his first China visit since taking the foreign minister post in January 2010.

At the start of the meeting, Rasoul said Afghanistan "gives tremendous attention" to its relations with China, considering China "not only as a good neighbor, but also as a good friend."