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China, Afghanistan sign deals

Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai, shown at a news conference in Kabul Dec. 20, 2009. UPI/Hossein Fatemi
Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai, shown at a news conference in Kabul Dec. 20, 2009. UPI/Hossein Fatemi | License Photo

BEIJING, March 25 (UPI) -- China and Afghanistan signed three agreements on trade and economic cooperation during a visit by Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

The agreements cover economic cooperation, technical training and the granting of preferential tariffs for some Afghan exports to China, China Daily reported.

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Karzai had been to China before but the latest visit, which ended Thursday, was his first since being re-elected last year.

Chinese President Hu Jintao, in talks with Karzai, said his government would help in the reconstruction of war-torn Afghanistan, Chinese media reported.

The report quoted analysts as saying China would be key player in an international coalition for rebuilding Afghanistan after the United States pulls out.

Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul told China Daily his country would continue to seek reconciliation with insurgent groups except al-Qaida.

"The military alone cannot be the solution to defeat terrorism," Rassoul said, adding his government "needs to have a series of strategies" to combat terrorism.

Rassoul was also quoted as saying Afghanistan would welcome Chinese investments in natural gas and iron ore sectors, assuring his government would take steps to protect Chinese companies and nationals working in the country.

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Chinese state-owned China Metallurgical Group reportedly has already promised to invest $3 billion in one of the world's largest copper mines south of Kabul.

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