BEIJING, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- China on Thursday voiced its respect for Afghan people's choice in the presidential election.

    "We have noticed the preliminary results of the Afghan presidential election. The election was Afghanistan's internal affair. We respect the choice of the Afghan people," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said at a news briefing.

    Jiang's comments came as Afghan incumbent President Hamid Karzai secured 54.6 percent of votes in the preliminary full result announced by the election commission Wednesday.

    "As Afghanistan's friend, we sincerely wish the country an early realization of national stability, economic development, peaceful and content life for its people," Jiang said.