On June 21, 2007, Chinese President Hu Jintao held fruitful talks with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani in a cordial and friendly atmosphere. The two heads of state reached broad consensus on deepening China-Iraq traditional friendship and developing bilateral friendly cooperation in the new period.
Hu said the China-Iraq friendship goes back more than 2000 years, to the time when the ancient Silk Road linked the two peoples together. Since the two countries forged diplomatic ties nearly half a century ago, especially after the new Iraqi government was established, China-Iraq relations have entered a new stage of development, said Hu. Both sides have increased political exchanges, maintained sound momentum in economic and trade cooperation and gradually resumed and conducted cooperation in other areas with good communication and coordination in major international and regional issues, said Hu. The Chinese president also expressed his appreciation of Iraq's adherence to the one-China policy. The Chinese government and people respect the rights and choices of the Iraqi people and support the efforts Iraq has made to safeguard national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and to achieve national stability and development, said Hu.
Talabani said both peoples have once created splendid civilizations in history and have established a profound friendship during the long-term friendly exchanges. Since the two countries forged diplomatic ties, bilateral ties have been developing smoothly with fruitful cooperation in all areas, he said. The president noted the Iraqi government and people sincerely thank China for its assistance and consider China one of its real friends. Talabani reiterated Iraq's firm adherence to the one-China policy and support of China's reunification, adding that his country cherishes the traditional friendship with China.
Hu said China is ready to make joint efforts with Iraq to develop bilateral friendly cooperative relations in the new period in the following four aspects.
First, Hu suggested the two countries maintain high-level exchanges, strengthen dialogue and contacts between the governments, parliaments and political parties, and enhance mutual understanding and trust, so as to lay a more solid political foundation for the development of bilateral ties.
Second, he urged both sides to actively push for mutually beneficial cooperation, pledging that China supports the reconstruction in Iraq. China will continue to do what it can to help Iraqi reconstruction by encouraging well-established firms to take part in and train professionals needed for reconstruction, said Hu. China is also ready to discuss with the Iraqi side new areas and ways for expanding mutually beneficial cooperation, Hu added.
Third, Hu proposed China and Iraq enhance cooperation in education, culture and health care, saying that China is ready to sign a yearly action plan with Iraq on cultural exchanges. China welcomes Iraqi young people to study here and also welcomes Iraqi cultural and arts organizations to visit China and participate in cultural events during the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Fourth, China will also enhance coordination with Iraq on international and regional issues, said Hu, adding that China will exchange views and coordinate positions with Iraq on key issues of mutual concern through such established mechanisms as foreign ministry-level consultations. He also called for closer consultations, coordination and cooperation between the two countries in the United Nations and other international organizations.
Agreeing with Hu's proposals, Talabani said that developing bilateral ties in an all-round manner, as a consensus shared among all Iraqi people, conforms to the interests of both countries and is also conducive to regional peace and stability. He suggested Iraq and China promote cooperation in areas like politics, trade, science and technology, energy and culture and explore new cooperative fields, so as to push for greater development of friendly cooperative relations. Following the talks, the two heads of state attended a signing ceremony of several cooperation agreements concerning economy, technology and other areas.
Prior to the talks, President Hu Jintao hosted a welcoming ceremony for Talabani at the Square outside the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People. Hu's wife Liu Yongqing, Vice Chairman Raidi of the NPC Standing Committee, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Li Meng, Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Chinese Peasants' and Workers' Democratic Party Sang Guowei, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Chairman of the State Development and Reform Commission (SDRC) Ma Kai, Director of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense Zhang Yunchuan, Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai, Chinese Ambassador to Iraq Chen Xiaodong and other officials attended the welcoming ceremony.
