Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai on Thursday in Kabul described his visit to the People's Republic of China and meeting Chinese leaders very fruitful.

"I am very happy of the outcome of my visit to China. It was a very fruitful visit as we signed 11 agreements including agreement on good neighborhood and enhancing cooperation in the field of trade and economy," Karzai told journalists at his fortified palace after return from Beijing.

Describing China as a great neighbor of Afghanistan, Karzai said that enhancing relations with China is important for the progress of his war-torn nation.

"Afghanistan wants to learn from China's fast progress in all fields. China's economic progress can be an example for Afghans," Karzai added.

Matters pertaining cooperation in war on terror and extremism, Karzai added, also came under discussion during his stay in Beijing with Chinese leaders.

Afghan leader, who attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, also expressed his support to the body saying Afghanistan favors any entity in the region that could benefit it.

Earlier a statement of Afghanistan Presidency issued Wednesday said that Beijing would grant 10 million U.S. dollars to the post- war country this year.

To help increase Afghanistan's export to China, the Chinese side announced that it would grant zero-tariff treatment to 278 items of Afghan exports to China as of 1 July 2006, joint statement of the two governments issued in Beijing during Karzai's visit said.

To support Afghanistan's national reconstruction, the Chinese side will train 200 Afghan professionals in the coming two years and will offer 30 government scholarships to Afghanistan annually starting from 2007, the joint statement added.

The two sides also agreed to establish China-Afghanistan Comprehensive and Cooperative Partnership in order to consolidate their traditional friendship and broaden cooperation in all fields.

During his stay in China, President Karzai also met with business leaders of the two countries and briefed them on trade and investment opportunities in Afghanistan.

The two sides, according to the joint statement, emphasized that strengthening cooperation in national defense, security and police affairs is an important part of their bilateral relationship.

Source: Xinhua