Meeting Afghan Ambassador to China on election day

H: You also mentioned Taliban is actually regional. It's not just in Afghanistan. It's in Pakistan...And I'd like to ask the question. Some experts say that the situation in Afghanistan is quite related to the security in China. For example, you know, a couple of weeks ago, there were threats from the airplane saying there are terrorist attacks. And the July 5 Xinjiang rioting also is among the list. So what do you think?

A: Afghanistan is in the heart of the issue. As one expert from Afghanistan said Afghanistan is the heart of the issue. An issue, life depends to that in Afghanistan. But I think this is a reality. The stability in Afghanistan is the stability in the region. But the terrorist safe presence is not in Afghanistan, this is in the region. International forces are in Afghanistan to fight terror in the region. So first, Afghanistan should never be used against any of our neighbors. Never. This is our policy. Second, we believe that all the countries of the region should cooperate in this fight against terror. And there are many ways. Regarding this airplane, this was misunderstanding. We understand the position of the Chinese government. And it has no effect on our relations with China.

H: And how can China and Afghanistan cooperate to combat terrorism?

A: The comprehensive strategy in the fight against terrorism is not only military. The military fight is a very important element. But there are other elements as well, like better reconstruction of Afghanistan, better institutions of Afghanistan. This is also a part of this. China and Afghanistan, I think, can and should cooperate better in many fields of economy. We have resources and you have technology and expertise. If we work together, this is in the benefit of both of us. And this is in the benefit of the stability in the region. Second, I think Afghanistan and China can share information about the trade in the region, especially bilateral, between Afghanistan and China. We are going through a very difficult time, difficult time for Afghanistan. But we are very confident that Afghan people will succeed. So we will appreciate and we will remember the support of other countries in this difficult time. And we expect China, as a friend, as a neighbor, to support in any kind they think proper to the people of Afghanistan.