KABUL, Oct. 10 -- Afghan and Chinese authorities on Tuesday launched the construction work of two China-aided buildings in Kabul University, the latest of China's assistance to the war-hit nation.
Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and Chinese Ambassador to Afghanistan Yao Jing were among the officials attending the stone laying foundation ceremony which marked the start of construction of an Integrated Teaching Complex and an Auditorium inside the 85-year-old university.
"Investment in higher education in a society means focusing on safe future and welfare of next generation of the society. And Afghan government welcomes today's launch of construction of two key facilities in Kabul University, that will be built by China," Abdullah told the audience.
He also said the new buildings would provide more facilities for teachers and students in coming years.
Abdullah also expressed gratitude to China for its cooperation with the government and the people of Afghanistan particularly in the field of education.
The teaching building will accommodate an academic lecture hall and 30 classrooms and the auditorium with a capacity of 1,490 people at one time, which will be the largest hall in Kabul University, would be built within 27 months.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Yao Jing said that China will continue to support Afghanistan's peace and reconstruction process to see a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan.
He also emphasized for more people-to-people contact between the two nations.
In April, Afghan and Chinese officials also launched construction of a new building for a vocational and technical institute at nearby Kabul National Vocational Institute that will provide new facilities to 5,000 students.