Premier Li Keqiang met with visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sept 23.

As two countries with ancient civilizations, China and Iraq have a long history of friendly exchanges, Premier Li said. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, bilateral relations remain healthy and stable.

China supports Iraq’s efforts to recover security and stability, rebuild its society and economy and improve people’s livelihoods, and is willing to deepen political trust, expand pragmatic cooperation and increase people-to-people exchanges with Iraq to obtain more development of the China-Iraq strategic partnership, according to the Premier.

He said China will actively participate in Iraq’s rebuilding, maintain a long-term energy partnership with Iraq and increase cooperation in various fields such as manufacturing and agricultural sectors to help achieve diverse development for Iraq as well as win-win results for both countries.

China will better coordinate the Belt and Road Initiative with Iraq’s rebuilding plan and encourage Chinese enterprises to join in Iraq’s infrastructure construction, the Premier said, adding he hopes Iraq will take measures to protect Chinese institutions and staff.

Iraq-China relations are in their golden hour at present, Abdul Mahdi said. After suffering from war, Iraq is rebuilding its homeland.

China is a country which values peace and cooperation, thus Iraq has the will to work with China in trade, infrastructure construction, energy and people-to-people exchanges, making bigger progress for bilateral ties, he said.

After meeting, the two heads of government witnessed the signing of multiple agreements in economy, technology, finance and people-to-people exchanges.