On the afternoon of July 7, around 200 teachers, students, and guests of the Confucius Institute (Chinese Department) at Kabul University (CIKU) gathered together to host a “China-Afghanistan Exchanges Photo Exhibition on the 70^th Anniversary of the Founding of New China and the 100^th Anniversary of the Independence of Afghanistan. Abdul Tawab Bala Karzai, acting minister of higher education of Afghanistan; Liu Jinsong, Chinese Ambassador to Afghanistan; Hamidullah Farooqi, Chancellor of Kabul University and Advisor Minister to Afghan President on Higher Education, as well as the representatives of the institutions in cooperation with CIKU, the Afghan Youth Delegation to China, Alumni of CIKU, Chinese companies in Afghanistan, Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Xinhua News Agency participated in the event.

The event kicked off with the resonant national anthems of the two countries in the auditorium. Chancellor Farooqi pointed out in his welcome speech that this year was a significant year for both Afghanistan and China, and it was also the 64^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Afghanistan. The relationship between Afghanistan and China has always been friendly, and China has been helping Afghanistan in its construction over the years. The teaching building complex and auditorium which were under construction at Kabul University were just aided by China. Meanwhile, Kabul University is also strengthening its cooperation with Chinese universities such as Taiyuan University of Technology, Sichuan University and Yunnan Minzu University etc. Minister Karzai emphasized in his speech that the education cooperation between Afghanistan and China is being strengthened steadily, and China has provided many scholarship opportunities for Afghan students to study in China. He thanked the Chinese government and the Chinese Embassy for their support and assistance to the growth of Afghanistan’s education. Ambassador Liu Jinsong said in his passionate speech that the 70-year history of New China and the 100-year history of Afghanistan since its independence are both the history of striving for national independence and achieving national development. China supports the peace in Afghanistan in the past, present and future, and is willing to make contributions to this end. Young students are the future of Afghanistan and the future of China-Afghanistan relations. He urged all present in the meeting to work hard for peace and friendship!

Minister Karzai, Ambassador Liu Jinsong and Chancellor Farooqi jointly cut the ribbon to open the photo exhibition. Leaders, guests and students present in the event visited the photo exhibition to learn about the history of New China and Afghanistan and the friendly exchanges between China and Afghanistan over the past years.

A total of 100 pictures were displayed in the photo exhibition, which are put into three sections: the 70^th anniversary of the founding of New China, the 100^th anniversary of the independence of Afghanistan, and China-Afghanistan friendly exchanges. The event was organized by CIKU on the 70^th anniversary of the founding of New China and the 100^th anniversary of the independence of Afghanistan to promote the influence of the Confucius Institute and strengthen China-Afghanistan friendship and the cultural and educational exchanges between the two countries.