China to help Afghanistan develop through commercial co-ops

Chinese former Ambassador to Italy Sun Yuxi (R) addresses a press conference about the Chinese cultural year to be held in Italy, in Rome Jan. 8, 2010. Sun has been newly appointed as special envoy for Afghan affairs. [File Photo: Xinhua]

The Chinese government is promising more help in rebuilding Afghanistan through more commercial cooperation.

The pledge has been made by Sun Yuxi, China's newly-appointed special envoy for Afghan affairs.

"In the future, our aid to Afghanistan will be split into two parts - one for the government, and the other for competitive enterprises. We will conduct commercial ventures to help them develop."

Chinese commercial cooperation with Afghanistan will focus mostly on infrastructure construction, environmental protection and helping improve people's livelihoods.

The new pledge of assistance comes amid the lingering dispute over the Afghan president election.

Sun Yuxi says its China's hope the political dispute will be settled as quickly as possible, and that everyone in Afghanistan will get behind whomever emerges as the new President.