Monitoring Desk
KABUL: Welcoming the Loya Jirga, the government of China supported the peace process owned and led by the Afghan people.
President Muhammad Ashraf met deputy head of Chinese congress and director of Red Cross Li Zhanshu at the Presidential Palace on Sunday. According to a presidential office press release available with Afghan Islamic Press (AIP), Li Zhanshu conveyed the good wishes of the Chinese president to Ashraf Ghani.
Felicitating the people and government of Afghanistan for successfully holding the Loya Jirga, Li Zhanshu said the government of China supported the peace process owned and led by the Afghan people.
Both the sides discussed various key issues including increased cooperation for treatment of children with atrial septal defect, sharing of experiences to cope with natural disasters and investment in various sectors, particularly energy.
On the occasion, President Muhammad Ashraf Ghani felicitated the people of China for successfully holding the one belt, one road conference. He lauded the government of China for continued cooperation with Afghanistan.
Afghanistan has proper opportunities for investment in energy sector, he said. The Afghan government was paving way for investment in this sector, he added.
The United Nations and several countries and organizations have welcomed the Afghan Loya Jirga.
However, former president Hamid Karzai, political parties and figures, 12 candidates of presidential election, Chief Executive Officer Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, Taliban and several other people opposed and boycotted the Loya Jirga.
About 3000 people from various parts of the country attended the Loya Jirga in Kabul on the ninth of Soor. The conference continued for five days.
The Loya Jirga issued a 24-point verdict. The participants urged Taliban and Afghan government to announce ceasefire.
However, Taliban rejected the demand of ceasefire and termed the conference as a gimmick. Currently, Taliban are holding talks with the US representatives in Doha, capital of Qatar. (AIP)
