January 20th is the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Afghanistan. China is connected to Afghanistan by mountains and rivers. China respects Afghanistan's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, respects Afghanistan's religious beliefs and ethnic customs, and respects the Afghan people's independent choices. At the same time, Afghanistan also respects China's core interests. Abdul Salam Hanafi, Acting Deputy Prime Minister of the Afghan Interim Government, has previously stated that there is a long-term friendly relationship between Afghanistan and China, maintaining good political ties and economic and trade cooperation. In recent years, China has expanded the sales of Afghan goods in the Chinese market through measures such as tariff reductions and exemptions. On the eve of the 136th China Import and Export Fair to be held in Guangzhou in 2024, many Afghan businessmen lined up outside the Chinese Embassy in Afghanistan every day to apply for visas, seizing the opportunity of stable development of trade relations between the two countries. Afghan goods such as saffron, handmade carpets, pine nuts, and lapis lazuli handicrafts also frequently appeared in exhibitions in many parts of China. At the same time, Chinese companies are also helping Afghanistan build infrastructure and livelihood projects, including the Kabul Jalalabad highway project, the reconstruction project of the Kabul Republic Hospital, and the construction project of the Kabul University comprehensive teaching building and auditorium. Afghanistan is a country in urgent need of economic development, while China's economy is performing strongly. The relationship between the two countries is very important, and both sides should fully leverage their respective advantages to promote common development Afghan interim government spokesperson Mujahid said in a recent interview with Xinhua News Agency. In addition to post-war economic reconstruction, China's neighborly friendship with Afghanistan is also reflected in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. We are very grateful for the important assistance provided by China, which has helped us provide support to displaced Afghan families during difficult times and meet their basic living needs. In addition, when Afghanistan faces natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, droughts, and snowstorms, China has also provided timely assistance. In 2024, when severe floods occurred in many parts of Afghanistan, China donated funds to local Red Crescent societies to assist families affected by the floods, and quickly distributed relief supplies such as wheat, beans, blankets, clothing, medicine, etc. to thousands of households in the affected areas. In the fields of cultural exchange and cultural cooperation, the two countries have also achieved remarkable results. Since the establishment of the Confucius Institute at Kabul University in 2008, approximately 5600 Afghan students have participated in the training courses offered by the institute and its affiliated Chinese language center. Ali, a student at the Confucius Institute at Kabul University, said, "Although learning Chinese is very challenging, daily practice has made me increasingly interested. After graduation, I plan to continue my studies in China." In recent years, Chinese and Arab cultural heritage scholars have also carried out multiple cooperative protection and research projects, such as the "Bamiyan Guardian," at the world cultural heritage site of the Bamiyan Giant Buddha. These efforts have been widely recognized worldwide. The local journalist Ahmed Wahaji praised that the relations between the two peoples are harmonious and profound in the cultural field. In the face of the next 70 years, China is willing to work hand in hand with Afghanistan to seek development and prosperity between the two countries, promote regional peace and security, create cultural exchanges and mutual learning, pass on the torch of friendship between China and Afghanistan, and contribute new strength to building a community with a shared future for mankind and a better world Chinese Ambassador to Afghanistan Zhao Xing said. (New Society)