Afghan president leaves for China on 4-day visit

Afghan President Hamid Karzai left Kabul on Wednesday morning for a four-day official visit to the neighboring state of China, said a statement issued by Arg, the country's Presidential Palace.

"Afghan President Hamid Karzai, leading a high-level delegation, left this morning to China for an official visit which is at the official invitation of his Chinese counterpart," said the statement.

The Afghan leader will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and other Chinese leaders during his trip, it added.

The leaders of the two nations will discuss a range of issues, including enhancing political, military, economic and cultural relations besides discussing the regional situation, the statement said.

During the visit, Karzai will also attend the opening ceremony of the Euro-Asia Economic Forum (EAEF) 2013 where he will deliver a speech, it noted.

Afghan National Security Advisor Rangin Dadfar Spanta, Minister of Mines and Petroleum Wahidullah Shahrani, President Advisor in International Affairs Yahya Marufi, Abdul Karim Khuram, chief of staff of the Afghan president's office, and the chief presidential spokesman Eimal Faizi are accompanying President Karzai during the visit, the statement added.

During the visit the Afghan authorities will also sign two Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), including providing financial assistance to Afghanistan, extradition of prisoners and cooperation agreement between Kabul and Xi'an University of China, according to a separate statement posted in Afghan presidential website.

Currently 70 Afghan military students are receiving training in China, it said.

Up to 45 Afghan police officers are also receiving training on fighting drugs and anti-riot in China and the number of officers will reach to 250 by 2015, it noted.

On Tuesday, President Karzai's spokesman Eimal Faizi said that Afghanistan supports united China and its stance vis--vis Taiwan and Tibet.