The media delegation from Afghanistan visits Xinjiang Museum at Urumqi, capital of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, Oct 21, 2011. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

URUMQI - A media delegation from Afghanistan has completed a five-day tour in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on Tuesday.

Led by Din Mohammad Rashedi, vice minister of cultural and youth publication affairs of Afghanistan, the 14-member group visited Urumqi, Turpan and Korla cities in Xinjiang.

"Xinjiang, China and Afghanistan are good neighbors, and have lots of similarities, which provide a solid foundation for cultural exchange and economic cooperation," Rashedi said.

Rashedi said Afghanistan had endured 32 years of wars and conflicts and badly needs construction and revitalization.

"The Chinese government has given lots of assistance to Afghanistan. I hope China could offer more help to us, especially in the aspect of economic cooperation with Xinjiang," Rashedi said.

Fawzia Ahsan, a senior reporter from Ashna Radio told China Daily that, it is amazing to visit and experience the peace and fast development in Xinjiang.

"People in the two countries lack communication. I hope my stories that cover the economic development and people's life in Xinjiang could make Afghanistan people know more about Xinjiang," Ahsan said.

Hou Hanmin, chief of the autonomous region's information office, said the provincial government of Xinjiang plans to invite news spokespersons from the neighboring countries to attend a professional training session held in Urumqi in 2012 to strengthen the relations between China's Xinjiang and Afghanistan.