Hu offers help to Iraqi peace and development
(China Daily)
Updated: 2004-03-26 00:35

President Hu Jintao Thursday said China is willing to take an active part in Iraq's reconstruction.

When meeting Bahr Ul-Uloum, visiting president of the Iraqi Governing Council (IGC), Hu said China will work with the international community to help Iraqi people embark on a road of peace, stability and development.

China will consolidate and develop bilateral co-operation with Iraq on the basis of mutual respect, equality and reciprocity, said Hu.

China pledged US$25 million of humanitarian assistance to Iraq in October last year, in addition to the promise that Chinese enterprises will play an active role in the reconstruction of Iraq.

Hu's remarks were well-received by his Iraqi guests.

Ul-Uloum, looking forward to China's participation in Iraq's reconstruction, expressed the hope that his visit will further promote bilateral co-operation, according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman.

He proposed co-operation in such fields as infrastructure, medical care and public health and human resources.

The successful experiences of China's economic development are very helpful to the Iraqi reconstruction, said Ul-Uloum.

China has, on various occasions, stressed the importance of letting the United Nations (UN) play its due role in Iraq's reconstruction. The stance has won positive response from the Iraqi people, according to Ul-Uloum.

During Ul-Uloum's three-day visit, which began Thursday, the Iraqi leader will also hold talks with State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan and visit the Zhongguancun high-tech park in Beijing, a hub for companies and enterprises featuring advanced technology.

"Through the visit, we believe that the two sides could deepen mutual understanding," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan Thursday at a regular news briefing.

He expressed the hope that stability could be resumed as soon as possible in Iraq and the idea of ''Iraqis governing Iraq'' be realized.

Kong stressed the Chinese Government's position on Iraqi war remains unchanged and that the issue should be resolved politically within the UN framework.

"I believe that China's stance on the issue is consistent with relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and the common expectations of the international community," he said.

President Hu also told Ul-Uloum during the meeting that China has all along respected the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq as well as the choices and rights of the Iraqi people.

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