BEIJING - Sun Yuxi, a Chinese diplomat, has been appointed as the Foreign Ministry's special envoy for Afghan affairs, said ministry spokesman Hong Lei in press release on Friday.

Sun was Chinese ambassador to Afghanistan from 2002 to 2004. He has also served as Foreign Ministry spokesman, and Chinese ambassador to India, Italy and Poland.

"Sun is an experienced diplomat," Hong said.

Hong added that China and Afghanistan are friendly neighbors. China is concerned with Afghanistan's situation, and is committed to the further development of their strategic cooperative partnership.

"The Foreign Ministry has appointed a special envoy to strengthen communication with Afghanistan and all parties concerned to maintain the country and the region's lasting peace, stability and development," Hong said.