China and Iraq celebrate 60-year relationship

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday extolled his country's relationship with Baghdad in messages exchanged with his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Masum on the 60th anniversary of the start of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday extolled his country's relationship with Baghdad in messages exchanged with his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Masum on the 60th anniversary of the start of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

"China and Iraq have enjoyed a sound momentum in developing bilateral ties and steadily promoted cooperation in various fields through joint efforts," Xi said, according to the Chinese state-run Xinhua news agency.

He also mentioned the 2015 establishment of a strategic partnership, which opened "a new chapter in the friendship of China-Iraq and brought new opportunities in bilateral ties."

In his message, Xi stated that he is willing to work further with Masum, taking the opportunity of the 60th anniversary, to "conduct mutually beneficial cooperation and deepen the strategic partnership, so as to better benefit the two countries and two peoples,” Xinhua reported.

Masum added, “Iraq is willing to comprehensively expand bilateral ties in a way that benefits both peoples, and promote security, peace, and development of the two countries and the region.”

Xi also exchanged congratulatory messages with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, discussing Beijing’s readiness to consolidate the traditional friendship between the two countries.

Abadi, in his message, stated that Iraq is ready to deepen ties and cooperation between the two countries in many aspects.

Diplomatic relations between Iraq and China were established on Aug. 25, 1958. The relationship went relatively smoothly for decades but was complicated by the Gulf War in 1991 and then again during events leading up to the fall of the regime of Saddam Hussein in 2003. Relations stabilized in the years that followed and have continued to grow.

Editing by John J. Catherine