Afghanistan and China sign trade pacts

The leaders of Afghanistan and China yesterday signed agreements on trade and economic co-operation, and vowed to work harder to combat terrorism in Central Asia.

Visiting Afghan President Hamid Karzai and China's Hu Jintao pledged to step up co-operation in maintaining security in the region, while presiding over the signing of pacts. China "will always support and aid Afghanistan in its reconstruction", said Hu.