HAMID KARZAI ATTESTS TO STEADFAST FRIENDSHIP

Former Afghan president sees China having important role in peace and reconciliation efforts

China impressed former Afghan president Hamid Karzai when he first visited the country in 2002 - the friendliness of the people, the depth of the culture, and even the traditional Chinese cuisine.

However, as he continued to visit China almost every year since then, Karzai said he found himself increasingly marveling at its achievements in social and economic development. "No society, no country in history has achieved so much in such a short time," he said in Beijing last month.