Xi says China to continue supporting Iraq's reconstruction

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Dec. 9, 2022. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

RIYADH, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said here on Friday that China will continue supporting Iraq's economic reconstruction and help it restore industries, improve people's livelihood and achieve sustainable development.

During his talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, Xi said Iraq was one of the first Arab countries to establish diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China, adding that since the establishment of the strategic partnership between the two countries in 2015, China-Iraq relations have seen sound and stable development, while bilateral cooperation in various fields has made steady progress.

China appreciates that Iraq has always firmly supported China on issues concerning China's core interests, and will continue to firmly support Iraq in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and to back all factions in Iraq to strengthen unity and cooperation, Xi said.

China is willing to work hand in hand with Iraq to continuously deepen the China-Iraq strategic partnership, he added.

China believes Iraq will continue to guarantee the security of Chinese personnel, institutes and projects and appreciates Iraq's active support for the Global Development Initiative and welcomes it to join the Global Security Initiative, Xi said.

He said China appreciates Iraq's support for and promotion of the China-Arab collective cooperation and is willing to work together with Iraq to implement well the achievements of the first China-Arab States Summit to push the China-Arab strategic partnership to a higher level.

Noting that exchanges between the civilizations of Iraq and China are thousands of years old, al-Sudani said China is a special friend of Iraq with friendly and solid bilateral relations.

China serves as an example and role model for developing countries, and as an important player in the multi-polar world, China advocates and practices common development and opposes colonial plunder, he said.

Iraq admires China's great achievements in poverty alleviation and other areas, and is willing to learn from and draw on China's successful experience, he noted.

Al-Sudani said Iraq stands ready to be an important partner of China in promoting Belt and Road cooperation, welcomes China to continue to actively participate in constructing major infrastructure and energy projects in Iraq and invest further into Iraq's chemicals, electricity and other areas, and is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China on counter-terrorism and eradication of extremism.

The Iraqi prime minister said he has every confidence in the complete success of the upcoming first summit between China and Arab states to be held on Friday afternoon.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Dec. 9, 2022. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)