China: We support the development of Iraq's economy and are confident of securing our companies and individuals working there, 31 MAY

 China: We support the development of Iraq's economy and are confident of securing our companies and individuals working there

On Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Fouad Hussein, held discussions with Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, on the sidelines of the tenth session of the ministerial meeting of the Arab-Chinese Cooperation Forum currently held in Beijing.

During the meeting, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi renewed his welcome to accept the invitation to visit Iraq, and also welcomed the holding of the joint Iraqi-Chinese committee meeting scheduled to be held in Baghdad.

The meeting discussed many bilateral issues of common interest between the two countries, including political, economic and military issues. China is Iraq's first trading partner and one of the largest importers of Iraqi crude oil, and it has a large number of companies working in various fields to advance the Iraqi economic situation.

Hussein touched on the development project launched by the Iraqi government, which links Iraq from the port of Al-Faw to Turkey and Europe in the north, and the possibility of aligning this strategic project with the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative, which Iraq joined in 2015.

Hussein stressed the Iraqi government's efforts to diversify the sources of the economy in the fields of agriculture and religious tourism, and called on Chinese companies to invest in the field of alternative energy and gas, noting that Iraq will play an important role in investing in associated gas.
They also discussed banking and financial cooperation between the two countries, as well as China’s support for Iraq to obtain financial financing for investment in infrastructure projects from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, especially in development road projects.
The two sides appreciated the diplomatic efforts in opening the Iraqi Consulate General in Guangzhou and the Chinese Consulate in Basra, as well as welcoming the opening of the Beijing-Baghdad line of Iraqi Airlines.

Wang Yi stressed China's continued support for Iraq's efforts to preserve its sovereignty and develop its economy and in the field of combating terrorism and rejecting all foreign interference. He also expressed his confidence that Iraq will provide security guarantees to Chinese institutions, companies and individuals working in Iraq.

For his part, Fouad Hussein stressed the ongoing cooperation between the two countries in the field of mutual support for international positions, pointing to Iraq’s important role in improving relations in the countries of the region, especially in bringing the views between Saudi Arabia and Iran closer. He appreciated the Chinese efforts on all pivotal issues, including the Palestinian issue and its decisions.  link