China-aid hospital inaugurates in Afghan capital

China-aid Jumhoriate hospital was inaugurated in the Afghan capital of Kabul on Tuesday, a further indication of China's consistent assistance to the war-hit nation in sectors related to people's livelihood.

"Today, it is a great happiness for me to take part in this great ceremony of inauguration of Jumhoriate Hospital," Afghan Second Vice President Mohammad Karim Khalili said.

For years the Afghan citizens had to go to neighboring countries for medical treatment, so the opening of the facilities in the Jumhoriate Hospital would be big news for all Afghans, the vice president said.

"Today, once again it is time to appreciate the Chinese people and the People's Republic of China," he said.

"The China-aid Jumhoriate Hospital is one of the most technology-advanced medical institutions in Afghanistan, and was handed over to the Afghan side in 2009. The Chinese side respected the Afghan government's initial plan for the hospital's business operation and appreciated its great effort to seek international cooperation in the past five years," said China Ambassador to Afghanistan Deng Xijun.

The ambassador also said the Chinese government will provide two more programs for the hospital's operation in institution management and medical personnel training.

Deng told Xinhua that China will give high priorities to sectors closely related to people's livelihood in its assistance to Afghanistan, such as public health, education and irritation, so as to bring tangible benefits to the Afghan people.

"China will firmly support Afghanistan's independence and integrity. We wish a peaceful transition in Afghanistan in the year of 2014 following presidential election and NATO withdrawal," Deng said.

The 154-bed hospital has more than 21 hemodialysis machines, the only institution capable of offering such service in the central Asian country.