Chinese President Xi Jinping met Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on Thursday on the sidelines of the 19th summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Bishkek, capital city of Kyrgyzstan.

President Xi said China wants to enhance cooperation with the Afghan government under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The Chinese president stressed that their cooperation is based on mutual respect and benefits. China also wants to strengthen bilateral security cooperation, especially in the fight against terrorist groups, Xi said.

Ghani thanked China's support for Afghan peace talks and China's role in maintaining regional peace and stability. The Afghan president said his government would work with China on security and economic development.