预计阿富汗是上海合作组织峰会要点

The future of Afghanistan is high on the agenda as the leaders of China, Russia and four central Asian states kick off an annual summit in Beijing on Wednesday.

Ahead of the two-day meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Chinese President Hu Jintao said he envisions the regional bloc playing a deeper role in Afghanistan as foreign troops wind down military engagement.

In an interview carried by Chinese state media, President Hu said the six-member grouping should work more closely to safeguard regional peace and stability. But he did not specifically mention how the group could play a bigger role in Afghanistan.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Wednesday welcomed greater Chinese participation in his country. Speaking to a group of university students in Beijing, Mr. Karzai said he soon plans to sign a strategic partnership agreement with China.

President Hu and Afghan President Hamid Karzai will hold separate talks at the summit.

Afghanistan is expected to gain "observer" status at the grouping中国、俄罗斯以及四个中亚国家星期三将在北京举行年度峰会，预计阿富汗前途将是主要议题。

在为期两天的上海合作组织峰会召开之前，中国国家主席胡锦涛说，在外国军队开始撤出阿富汗之际，他预期上海合作组织将在阿富汗发挥更大的作用。

中国国家媒体援引胡锦涛的话说，上海合作组织六个成员国应当加强合作，维护本地区的和平与稳定。但胡锦涛没有具体说明上海合作组织怎样在阿富汗发挥更大作用。

阿富汗总统卡尔扎伊星期三说，他欢迎中国与阿富汗扩大交往。卡尔扎伊在北京对一些中国大学生说，他计划不久与中国方面签署一项战略合作伙伴协议。

在上海合作组织峰会期间，胡锦涛与卡尔扎伊将单独举行会谈。

预计，阿富汗将取得上海合作组织观察员资格。