Berlin, 31 March 2004

Mr. Chairman,

On behalf of the Chinese Government, I wish to extend congratulations on this Conference and wish it a success.

It is the Bonn Agreement that has brought rays of peace to Afghanistan, a country torn by wars for 23 years. It is also the Agreement that has brought hopes for that ancient land and 25 million people who had pulled themselves through the mill.

Over the past two years, under the leadership of H.E. President Karzai and with the joint efforts of the international community, progress has been made in Afghanistan. From the interim government to the present transitional one, from the Emergency Loya Jirga to the present Constitutional body, from the adoption of the Constitution to the upcoming elections, the Bonn process is well recognized. We welcome all this.

Mr. Chairman,

An early and proper solution to the Afghan issue bears on regional stability and development. It is also an important link in the international campaign against terrorism. If the situation takes a turn for the worse, it is the Afghan people that suffer.

Now, the Bonn process has reached a critical stage. Insecurity, ethnic and factional disputes, slow economic reconstruction, diminishing international attention are, among other factors, becoming all the more challenging. We hope the Afghan government, with the help of the international community, will continue to work out follow-up actions to push forward the Bonn process.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

let us remember the spirit of the Bonn process and continue our efforts along such path.

Let us remember unity. Unity holds the key to peace in Afghanistan. Whether the Bonn process succeed or not depends on the participation of all Afghans. The top task is to establish a broadly based and representative government, which accommodates the interests of all ethnic groups through free and fair elections. We hope all Afghan ethnic groups and factions will continue to put the national interests first and unite as one. Here at this forum, I can't help but remember the late King of Afghanistan Abdur Rahman Khan once said, and I quote: "Unity, and only by unity, that a great nation could be born".

Let us remember independence. Peace is the cornerstone for Afghanistan. The Afghan people are the real masters of their land. From the beginning, the Bonn process has seen the active participation by the Afghans themselves. From the beginning, the Bonn process is a development path that would fit the national conditions of Afghanistan. This is an important principle. It can bring into play the enthusiasm and creativity of the Afghan people. For such purpose, the Afghanistan's national situation and the choices of the Afghan people should be respected. For such purpose, the reconstruction efforts of the Afghan Government and its people should be supported.

Let us remember coordination. Partnership is the guarantee for peace in Afghanistan. The unique feature of the Bonn process lies in the partnership between the Afghan government and the international community. China appreciates and supports the important role of the UN, the special representative of the UN Secretary-General and UNAMA in the Bonn process. The Bonn Agreement represents nothing but the commitment of the international community to the Afghan people. Continued support should be given to the Bonn process and commitments be honoured in order to achieve more concrete results.

Mr. Chairman,

History has taught us that peace process can never be a smooth one. However, if we stick to unity, independence and coordination, we will accomplish the important historic mission.

The long-cherished dreams of the Afghan people will come true.

Finally, I wish to reaffirm proudly and solemnly that the Afghans can always find a trustworthy neighbor and a friend. That is China and the Chinese people.