On the evening of 27th September 2011, H.E. Mr. Xu Feihong, Ambassador to Afghanistan and his wife hosted a reception at the Embassy to mark the 62th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. High Officials of Afghan Government ,National Army and Police, including H.E.Mr. Arsala, Senior Minister of Afghan Cabinet, H.E.Mr. Ibrahimi, Speaker of Wolesi Jirga (Lower House), H.E.Mr. Spanta, National Security Advisor to President, H.E.Mr. Wardak, Minister of Defense, H.E.Mr. Karimi, Chief of General Staff of National Army, H.E.Mr. Ahadi, Minister of Commerce and Industries , H.E.Mr. Hamidi, Minister of Public Works, H.E.Mr.Arghandiwal, Minister of Economy, H.E.Mr. Rahimi, Minister of Agriculture, H.E.Mr. Anwari, Minister of Refugees and Repatriation, H.E.Mr. Mujadidi, Ex-President were present at the reception. Afghan friends from all walks of life, heads of diplomatic missions in Afghanistan, as well as representatives of Chinese companies and Afghan Chinese Businessmen Association, totally more than 200 guests attended the reception.
(guests arriving) (Afghan VIPs)
Reception started with the solemn National Anthems of China and Afghanistan. Ambassador Xu made a speech, introducing China's achievements in economic and social development in the past 62 years and elaborating on China's peaceful development road. He said, China's development is peaceful development, open development and cooperative development. The aim of China's development is to work together with international community to build a harmonious world of durable peace and common prosperity. Despite forging ahead, China remains a developing country and faces many difficulties in the development process. This year is the outset of China's "Twelfth Five-Year" Plan. China will continue to follow the peaceful development road, promote economic and social development and make contributions for the world's development.
Ambassador Xu said, China and Afghanistan are friendly neighbors, peoples of the two countries share a long tradition of cordial exchanges. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 56 years ago, Sino-Afghan relations have withstood the tests of changing international situation and developed steadily and continuously. China actively participates in the Afghan peace and reconstruction process, and provides selfless assistance to Afghanistan within its capabilities. China has its role in promoting Afghan economic and social development. In the future, China will continue to be working together with the international community to participate in the Afghan reconstruction, and making a new contribution to the development of Afghanistan.
(Ambassador Xu delivering a speech) (Mr. Arsala delivering a speech)
H.E.Mr. Arsala on behalf of the Afghan Government delivered a warm speech. He expressed sincere congratulations to the 62th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and highly appreciated China's achievements. He said, Afghanistan and China are friends in adversity, have helped and supported each other all along the time. Afghanistan is grateful for China's great assistance for Afghan's reconstruction and believes, with deepend development of bilateral relations, two sides' exchanges and cooperations in all fields will be further strengthened.
(reception hall)
The guests at present expressed their warm congratulations for the 62th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and high appreciation for China's peaceful development road, saying that China's peaceful development not only for itself but also beneficial to the world. They said that tonight's reception enjoyed an unprecedented big number of attendees and seniority of Afghan officials among the diplomatic missions in Kabul, indicating Afghan government's valuation of its relations with China and reflecting China's international status as a big power. The reception is filled with festive and warm atmosphere throughout the time.