Abdul Ibrahimi, Speaker of the Lower House of the Afghan Parliament (LIU YUNYUN)

In an interview with Beijing Review and other media, Abdul Ibrahimi, Speaker of the Lower House of the Afghan Parliament, said that the peace-loving nation of China plays an important role in South Asia and the Asian continent as a whole. The interview was conducted during the International Day of Peace 2013 & China-South Asia Peace and Development Forum, which took place on September 21-22 in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province. Excerpts follow:

Beijing Review: What is your view on peace and security in Asia?

Abdul Ibrahimi: Peace is one of the needs of human beings for the protection of life and for world progress and development.

The continent of Asia is shared together by all the Asian nations and their peoples. It is essential for the leaders of Asia to establish mechanisms for ensuring security and the proliferation of peace and cooperation. Concerted efforts are needed to ensure regional peace and security.

The European community was able to establish a united organization; can the Asian states not do the same amongst themselves?

In order to resolve disputes and ensure peaceful regional development, in my opinion, the forming of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization have been critical and much needed measures.

Are there any Chinese investments in Afghanistan? Do they have favorable policies when doing business in the country?

Of course [there are Chinese investments in Afghanistan]. During the past 10 years, Chinese firms have worked on construction projects in Afghanistan, especially road building. China also invested in the Ainak copper mine and petroleum industry in the Amu region.

All investors enjoy certain privileges from our country since our country is recovering from the war of the past and we are in need of in-depth reconstruction.

We provide the best conditions possible for all foreign investors. Chinese firms and their employees have worked in Afghanistan in spite of the security situation and they have had the courage to continue. This is why we give them priority.

To establish peace and stability in Afghanistan and to facilitate reconstruction in the country, what do you expect China to contribute?

No doubt, China has the most effective role at the international community, especially due to its strong position at the region.

We need the international community to establish peace and stability under bilateral and multilateral cooperation in order to strengthen our National Army, National Police and support our government. These potential areas of cooperation are ready for China's involvement as well.

China, as a strong country, should have the leading role in dealing with affairs related to South Asian states when it comes to solving disputes and holding various activities to promote active diplomacy.

Close cooperation is the first step for the relations between regional states. The closeness of China with the South Asian states and especially Afghanistan, which is the at the crossing point between the east and west and the north and south of Asia, has a vital role in establishing and maintaining regional peace.

What is your opinion on the present and future of relations between China and Afghanistan?

The people of China have had good relations with the people of Afghanistan regarding the economy, cultural and friendly cooperation for a long time.

Post-war Afghanistan needs support from its friends. So protection and expansion of good relations with neighbors is of great value.

(Reporting from Kunming, Yunnan Province)