PM heads to China on official visit

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraq’s Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, has flown to China on Sunday, leading a high-level political, economic and trade delegation, on an official visit aimed at boosting joint relations and using Chinese expertise in Iraq’s reconstruction works, the Prime Minister’s Media Advisor, Ali al-Moussawi reported.   “The visit of the Iraqi Delegation, led by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to China shall cover different economic, trade and political aspects, because China is an important country and its economy is developing, and my hold the first international position in the world economy during the forthcoming few years; that is why it is necessary that Iraq builds outstanding and strong relations with China,” Moussawi told IraqiNews.com news agency.   He said that the Iraqi Delegation, accompanying Prime Minister Maliki comprises the Ministers of Agriculture, Industry and Oil, the Chairman of the Investment Commission, along with other Ministers, whose ministries have relations and coordination with China and its companies.   “China is a permanent and influential member of the UN Security Council and we need to gain its support towards Iraq’s political missions, especially those related to the UN Charter’s 7 th  Article,” he said, expressing conviction that China would have a positive position towards Iraq.   SKH (TI)/SR 651