On May 17, 2016, President Xi Jinping met at the Great Hall of the People with Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah of Afghanistan, who was paying an official visit to China.

Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Afghanistan are traditional and friendly neighbouring countries. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations more than 60 years ago, both countries, upholding the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, have respected, understood, trusted and supported each other, and their good neighbourly and friendly relations have been constantly strengthened. China appreciates that the national unity government of Afghanistan commits itself to developing economy, promoting reconciliation, and safeguarding security, which has achieved positive progress. As Afghanistan's trustworthy neighbor and friend, China attaches importance to developing friendly and cooperative relations with Afghanistan. China stands ready to work with Afghanistan to push forward China-Afghanistan strategic partnership of cooperation.

Xi Jinping stressed that the Chinese side thanks Afghanistan for its support to China on issues concerning China's core and vital interests. China will continue to firmly support the Afghan national unity government's administration and respect the political system and the development path independently chosen by the Afghan people. China is willing to conduct close high-level exchanges with Afghanistan, enhance strategic communication and map out a blueprint of cooperation. China will firmly support Afghanistan's peaceful reconstruction and development. Both countries should enhance coordination to push ahead China's major investment projects in Afghanistan to achieve substantial progress at an early date. China will continue to help human resources development in Afghanistan, encourage youths, think tanks, media and others of the two countries to strengthen communication and expand exchanges between local governments. China supports Afghanistan to integrate itself into regional cooperation, and stands ready to help the country promote connectivity with neighboring countries, seek synergy between China's "Belt and Road" initiative and Afghanistan's transformation and development strategy, and strengthen comprehensive cooperation between the two sides, so as to promote the common development of the two countries. China firmly supports Afghanistan to fight terrorism, and will continue to provide support for the country to strengthen the construction of security capability. The Chinese side firmly supports the peaceful reconciliation process of Afghanistan and the inclusive process of Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation, which is a fundamental way for Afghanistan to realize long-term peace and stability.

Abdullah Abdullah expressed that Afghanistan and China are friendly and close neighbors. The two peoples enjoy a long history of friendship. Afghanistan thanks China for its assistance to Afghanistan during its hardest times and its support to the national unity government. Afghanistan will firmly support China's stance on issues of core concerns including the Taiwan issue. The Afghan side is willing to maintain high-level exchanges with China, intensify the implementation of the consensus reached by both sides and enhance cooperation with China in economy, infrastructure, human resources, security and other areas in the country's reconstruction process.

State Councilors Yang Jiechi, Guo Shengkun and others attended the meeting.