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KABUL: Chinese Ambassador to Afghanistan Liu Jinsong held talks with Abdul Rasul Sayyaf, a senior political figure and have discussed Afghanistan-China relations and the Afghan peace process in a cordial setting. The two exchanged greetings for the upcoming Nowruz (Afghanistan’s New Year’s Day).
Liu wished Afghanistan’s senior politicians a long and healthy life. He briefed Sayyaf on the 2019 Government Work Report delivered by Premier Li Keqiang to the second session of the 13th National People’s Congress. Sayyaf praised China’s progress and plans to study the report, Chinese embassy in Afghanistan said.
Chinese envoy expressed admiration for Sayyaf’s contribution to China-Afghanistan relations and stressed China’s support for the “Afghan-led, Afghan-owned” peace process and the improvement of Afghanistan-Pakistan relations. Sayyaf expressed appreciation for China’s efforts in this regard.
“Terrorism is a common enemy of China and Afghanistan; China strongly opposes terrorism and extremism in any form, and China’s Xinjiang, which borders on Afghanistan, is taking a number of effective measures, including vocational training, to root out extremism,” Liu said.
He believes Afghanistan could learn from China’s preventative counter-terrorism experiences. “Regarding terrorism as an enemy of not just the two countries, but the entire human race, Sayyaf advocates for fighting against terrorists, who he believes to be anti-Islamic devils.”
Invited by Sayed Abdul Rahman Hashimi, former President of the Kabul Provincial Council, Ambassador Liu Jinsong visited Paghman District in Kabul Province to celebrate the upcoming Nowruz (Afghanistan’s New Year’s Day) with locals on March 20.
Dressed in Afghan ethnic clothing, Liu visited Hashimi’s home and greeted locals there in Dari. Liu discussed the economy, education, healthcare, and security in the district with locals. Paghman has a pleasant landscape and hospitable residents, Liu remarked.
“For several consecutive years, the embassy has helped the district’s primary schools improve education infrastructure by donating textbooks, offering scholarships, and training teachers; China will continue to assist in poverty alleviation to the best of its ability,” Liu said.
He had a festive meal with locals, and welcomed them to the embassy, where they enjoyed Chinese cuisine. Kabul province has close ties with China, which truly benefits locals; China selflessly assists with the Afghan public and hopes for a peaceful Afghanistan, Liu said.
Liu also visited the renowned Paghman Palace, which was destroyed during war and rebuilt in 2013. The palace’s three-story main building is decorated with handmade carpets, landscape oil paintings and portraits, as well as Chinese-made furniture and wallpaper.
Liu was impressed by the palace as well as the wisdom and hard work demonstrated by the Afghan artisans. He hopes the palace will become a popular international tourism spot when peace finally arrives in Afghanistan.
