Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Friday that China welcomes the latest development in the relationship between Russia and the interim government of Afghanistan.

"As a traditionally friendly neighbor of Afghanistan, China always believes that Afghanistan should not be excluded from the international community," Mao said at a regular news briefing when asked to comment on Russia becoming the first country to formally recognize the interim government.

Mao said that China supports the international community in strengthening engagement and communication with the Afghan interim government and encouraging the interim government to actively respond to international concerns.

China also supports the global community in jointly helping Afghanistan achieve reconstruction and development, supporting Afghanistan in combating violent terrorist forces, and making a positive contribution to regional peace, stability, and prosperity, the spokeswoman said.

"Regardless of changes in the situation inside or outside Afghanistan, diplomatic relations between China and Afghanistan have never been interrupted," she added.

According to Mao, since the establishment of the Afghan interim government, the diplomatic missions in each other's countries have maintained normal operations, playing a positive role in promoting the development of bilateral relations.

"China will continue to be committed to a foreign policy of friendship toward all Afghan people and support exchanges and cooperation between China and Afghanistan across various fields," Mao said.