The state visit by Afghan President Hamid Karzai to China would definitely advance practical cooperation and lift the two countries' comprehensive partnership to new levels, Chinese President Hu Jintao said Wednesday.

President Hu held talks with Karzai in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Wednesday afternoon.

Hu described Karzai as an old friend who had made great contributions to the friendship between the two countries.

Karzai made the China visit, the fourth one during his presidency, on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between China and Afghanistan.

Karzai expressed gratefulness to China for the support and encouragement it had given Afghanistan since the establishment of diplomatic ties, in particular in the past eight years during his presidency.

He said Afghanistan was honored to have China as a friend and a neighbor.