Foreign minister lauds Sino-Iraqi relations during visit

Beijing's pledge to support Iraqi reconstruction and boost economic cooperation signals its increasing positive role in the Middle East, Chinese experts said on Monday, as Foreign Minister Wang Yi made a rare visit to the country.

Calling Iraq "a reliable and important partner in the Middle East", Wang said on Sunday that China is willing to promote high-level exchanges with Iraq, continue to firmly support the country's political transition and actively participate in its economic rebuilding.

Wang arrived in Baghdad on Sunday morning, marking the first visit of a top Chinese diplomat to Iraq in 23 years. Wang met Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari.

Describing the visit as "a trip of support and cooperation", Wang said China supports the independence of Iraq, the acceleration of political reconstruction and ethnic reconciliation, as well as its determination to fight terrorism.

Wang promised that China will strengthen its pragmatic cooperation with Iraq by helping the country's reconstruction in energy, infrastructure and the people's well-being.

"Chinese companies, with rich experience and advanced technology, are willing to help establish an entire oil-industry chain for Iraq and as a result boost the country's energy sector," Wang said.

Beijing will also encourage enterprises to participate in major Iraqi projects, including those in electricity, telecommunications and port development, he added.

Al-Maliki said Iraq thanks China for its unwavering support of the country's postwar reconstruction.

"Iraq hopes to strengthen its cooperation with China in the fields of economy, politics and security. Iraq has great confidence in Chinese companies and hopes more Chinese firms will invest in Iraq," al-Maliki said.

Experts said the visit signaled Beijing's increasing attention to the Middle East and its commitment to endorse peace and stability in the region.

Hua Liming, a former Chinese ambassador to Iran and an expert in Middle East studies, said reinvigorating the Iraqi economy is the most important task for the country, and China can play a key role in the process.

"Both countries have voiced strong aspirations to forge cooperation. China has always supported the peace process in Iraq and called for the solid development of bilateral ties in a wide range of areas such as politics and the economy," he said.

Iraq is raising its oil revenue to fund the reconstruction of its infrastructure, which was heavily damaged during the Iraq War and by frequent sectarian violence.

Li Guofu, director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, said a huge potential remains to be tapped, as Iraq stands at a critical juncture of its national transformation, needing capital and expertise.

"In recent years, Chinese companies have accumulated rich experience in overseas infrastructure construction and energy cooperation," Li said. "In this sense, Wang's visit further widens the prospects for cooperation between the two countries."

Xinhua contributed to the story.

puzhendong@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 02/25/2014 page11)