Special envoy of the Chinese Government and assistant Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Li Hui attended the inauguration of President Hamid Karzai, the first President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on December 7th.

Li Hui went to Afghanistan especially to attend the inauguration ceremony at the invitation of the Afghan government. The ceremony was held at noon December 7 in the presidential palace and received wide attention and welcome from the international community. Dignitaries of more than 50 countries and international organizations including UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Afghanistan Brahimi, U.S. Vice President Cheney and Tajiki Prime Minister Akilov attended the short yet grand event.

Karzai delivered an inauguration speech, saying that the new Afghan government will be committed to promoting rule of law, protecting human rights, enhancing solidarity, strengthening infrastructure construction, continuing to implement the policy of fighting against terrorism and building Afghanistan into a free and prosperous country enjoying dignity and sovereignty. Karzai thanked the international community for its support and generous help in building peace and reconstruction of Afghanistan, highlighting that Afghanistan is willing to keep long-lasting friendship with all the neighboring countries and constantly improve relations and expand cooperation, especially economic and trade cooperation.

The successful election of Karzai as the President is a landmark in the peaceful reconstruction of Afghanistan. As a member of the international community, China always supports Afghanistan for its peace and economic reconstruction. The act of the Chinese government to send a special envoy to attend the inauguration ceremony fully shows the importance it attaches and the support it extends to the new Afghan government and its expectation and tangible effort to promote China-Afghanistan good-neighborly friendship. China follows the policy of being good neighbors and partners of neighboring countries and stands ready to develop friendly relations with all the neighboring countries including Afghanistan.

The Afghan government attaches great importance to the visit of the special envoy of the Chinese government. On December 6, Afghan Vice President Khalili and Foreign Minister Abdullah met with Li Hui respectively. Both sides exchanged wide opinions on how to further develop bilateral relations and enhance bilateral cooperation in anti-terrorism.

During meeting with Khalili, Li Hui reiterated that China and Afghanistan are two large neighboring countries. The Chinese government always holds deep feeling towards the Afghan people. The fact that the Chinese government sends him as the special envoy to the inauguration ceremony of President Karzai shows that China attaches great importance to its relations with Afghanistan. China supports the Afghan people in selecting political system and development road on their own and hopes to expand cooperation with Afghanistan in fighting against the three vices. Khalili made an overall introduction of the achievements made by the transitional government in all fields and expressed gratitude to China for its generous help to the peace process and reconstruction of Afghanistan. He also noted that he hopes bilateral friendship will make long-term progress in the future.

During meeting with Abdullah, Li Hui noted that January 20 next year will be the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Afghanistan. He hoped that both sides can take this opportunity to plan various activities and raised several suggestions. Abdullah agreed with Li and noted that the two foreign ministries can set out to discuss detailed implementation programs.

On the same day, Li Hui also met with Father of the Nation and former Afghan King Zahir Shah and conveyed the greetings of the Chinese government and people to him.