Al-Baidar Center for Studies and Planning Held a Seminar on: “Iraq-China Ties in 65 Years”

Al-Baidar Center for Studies and Planning held a broad discussion seminar entitled “Iraq-China ties in 65 years: Challenges and future opportunities,”. The center hosted Dr. Hisham Al-Alawi, Deputy Minister for Political Planning – Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ambassador Cui Wei, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Iraq.

The starting point of the Chinese ambassador’s speech focused on the historical and civilizational similarities between China and Iraq as well as the status of Iraq in those histories. On the other hand, he applauded the cooperative accomplishments and achievements made in this regard over the previous ten years between the two nations.

The Belt and Road Initiative, in which according to the Chinese ambassador, is an in-depth plan that incorporates cultural and social dimensions rather than just commercial and economic ones. The ambassador mentioned that Iraq and China had signed a memorandum of agreement in 2015 about cooperation with the Belt and Road initiative, making Iraq one of the significant nations included in the initiative. The Chinese ambassador emphasized Chinese businesses’ significant role in Iraq’s development and investment processes, particularly in the oil and energy industries.

The Deputy Minister for Political Planning, Dr. Hisham Al-Alawi emphasized in his speech the key aims and strategies of the Iraqi government, including the consolidation of ties with significant nations, such as China, through enhancing bilateral ties with China. He also emphasized the strategic value of these ties and the need to strengthen them across a range of disciplines, including business, the economy, politics, culture, and international development.

The participants made numerous comments and queries during the seminar about the potential of these relations and the mechanisms for their growth on various levels, in a way that matches the interests of the two countries.