To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Afghanistan, the launch ceremony of the special commemorative cover on the theme co-produced by China National Philatelic Corporation and the Philatelic Association of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was held in the tower of the Ministry. Assistant Foreign Minister Li Hui, Afghanistan Ambassador to China Qiamuddin Rai Barlas and other officials attended the ceremony.

Li Hui delivered a speech at the ceremony, saying that the friendly exchanges between the peoples of China and Afghanistan enjoy a long history. Today 50 years ago, the two countries formally established diplomatic relations, which turned a brand new page in the history of China-Afghanistan good-neighborly relations. Over 50 years, both sides have been adhering to the five principles of peaceful coexistence, China-Afghanistan friendship keeps developing and cooperation continues to deepen. The Chinese government and people value the friendship with the Afghan people and believe that with the relentless efforts of the Afghan government and people the peace and reconstruction process in that country will surely make continuous progress. Not long ago as the special envoy of the Chinese government I led a delegation to attend the inauguration ceremony of President Karzai and witnessed the reconstruction achievements of the new Afghan government and experienced the friendly feeling of the Afghan people toward the Chinese people. Long live China-Afghanistan friendly relation.

Barlas said that Afghanistan and China started friendly exchanges as early as in the Han dynasty. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Afghanistan was one of the first countries that recognized the new China. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, the Chinese government and people have always been supporting and helping the Afghan government and people resolutely. Afghanistan is proud of having such a good neighbor. I am a scholar myself on Chinese issues and in the 1950s studied Chinese in China. I have witnessed the fundamental changes of China over recent decades and see China as my second hometown. I am proud to be appointed as the Afghan ambassador to China on this happy occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.