Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a phone talk with Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed al-Hakim on Monday, discussing about the COVID-19 battle and bilateral ties.
Noting that Iraq and China enjoy a long-standing friendship, al-Hakim said as the Iraqi people's anti-virus battle entered the most critical point, Chinese health experts arrived at Baghdad with medical supplies and equipment, providing selfless help to Iraq.
Thanking China for its strong support, al-Hakim said he believes that with China's help, Iraq will surely win the fight against COVID-19 at an early date.
Iraq is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China on global and regional affairs, he added.
Wang said the COVID-19 epidemic has happened in various places around the world so far, posing fresh challenges to the fight against the virus.
Upholding the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, China will not only safeguard the health and safety of its own people, but also stands ready to enhance cooperation with the international community in battling the disease, so as to make contributions to global public health and security.
Wang noted that with traditional friendship, China and Iraq can always understand and support each other. Previously, Iraq's president and prime minister have respectively sent condolences to Chinese leaders in support of China's efforts to fight the virus.
Wang said that after the coronavirus epidemic appeared in Iraq, Chinese government has commissioned the Red Cross Society of China to form a medical team to aid Iraq, with a belief that the team can help Iraq fight against the epidemic and the Iraqi people would defeat the epidemic soon.
China will continue to do all within its reach to offer help and support to Iraq, Wang added.
With firm mutual trust, China and Iraq have been staunchly supporting the core interests of each other, and their bilateral ties have gone through the test of changing international landscapes, Wang said.
Chinese government advocates that Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity should be respected and opposes to foreign interference with Iraqi internal affairs, Wang said.
China would like to further deepen the cooperation with Iraq over the Belt and Road Initiative, help Iraq to rebuild its economy and promote the strategic partnership between the two countries for new development, Wang said.
As a responsible power, China will always stand on the side of the developing countries, including Iraq, Wang added.
