China officially invites PM Barzani to visit Beijing, foster bilateral ties

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) on Tuesday officially invited Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani to visit Beijing to discuss ways the two sides can improve trade and economic ties.

The invitation came following a meeting between Barzani and Li Jun from the CPC’s Central Committee in Erbil where both sides stressed the strengthening of bilateral relations as well as cooperation and coordination in the economy, trade, infrastructure, and investment, a statement on Barzani’s press office said.

China’s Ambassador to Iraq Zhang Tao and Consul-General in Erbil Ni-Ruchi accompanied Jun at the meeting.

Jun stated that China’s Xi Jinping, the CPC’s General Secretary, recognizes the vital role the Kurdistan Region played in combating terrorism and defeating the so-called Islamic State.

He also noted that Jinping would cooperate and coordinate with the Kurdistan Region and Iraq “to establish the best bilateral relations, provide employment opportunities and investment in the Kurdistan Region as well as benefit from the Chinese experience in the areas of management, economy, services, and technology,” the statement read.

Barzani, meanwhile, expressed the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) readiness to facilitate China’s investment and its projects in the autonomous region.

China opened its Consulate General in Erbil on Dec. 30, 2014, at a time where the Islamic State was on the rise in northern Iraq.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany