Iraq Voices Readiness to Develop Ties With China

The Iraqi government and Iraq's ruling Arab Baath Socialist Party are willing to develop ties with China, Iraqi Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan said on Thursday.

Ramadan made the remarks while meeting Su Rong, an alternative member of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee who arrived on Sunday for an official visit to Iraq.

During the meeting, Ramadan reviewed the diplomatic, trade and economic developments that have been achieved through the long-term exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.

It conforms to the interests of the Iraqi government as well as the Arab Baath Socialist Party to develop relations with China, Ramadan said.

Ramadan condemned the United States and Britain for continuing patrolling and bombing the so-called no-fly zones in northern and southern Iraq since December 1998, when the United States and Britain launched the four-night air strikes against Iraq.

The United Nations Security Council and the international community shoulder the responsibility of halting the aggressive acts of the U.S. and Britain, the vice president said.

On his part, Su Rong, who is heading a Chinese Communist Party delegation, reiterated China's stand that the Iraqi issue should be reasonably resolved within the framework of relevant U.N. resolutions.

He expressed the hope that the friendly relations between the two governments and the two ruling parties will be further expanded.

The meeting, attended by Chinese Ambassador to Iraq Zhang Weiqiu and Iraqi officials, followed Su Rong's talks with Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz on Wednesday.



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