$200 billion in trade between China and Iraq by 2024
The Chinese Embassy Counselor in Iraq, Xu Haifeng, confirmed on Wednesday that Iraq is a key partner for his country, noting that China imported approximately 64 million tons of crude oil from Iraq in 2024.
In a press conference held in Baghdad to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory over Japan, attended by a Shafaq News Agency correspondent, Haifeng said that Chinese companies have been operating in the energy sector in Iraq for many years, especially after 2003, and have contributed to the reconstruction of the oil sector and the export of crude oil to foreign markets. He stressed the readiness of both the Iraqi and Chinese sides to enhance cooperation in the fields of oil and electricity, with expectations of more diverse partnerships in the future.
The Chinese diplomat added that his country had invited 26 countries, including heads of government, parliaments, political leaders, and military leaders, to participate in China’s celebrations of its victory over Japan. He noted that the Chinese president emphasized in his speech that the Chinese people’s resistance was the first struggle against foreign aggression and contributed to saving human civilization. He affirmed his country’s commitment to working with the world to build a bright future for humanity.
Haifeng explained that China’s relations with its neighboring countries during World War II were intertwined, as the region’s peoples fought against Japanese aggression. In response to our correspondent, the Chinese diplomat noted that his country is now open to economic cooperation in Iraq through its companies operating in the energy, electricity, and communications sectors.
He pointed out that cooperation between China and Iraq includes combating terrorism, with Beijing providing training programs for Iraqi security forces.
The Chinese official concluded his remarks to the agency by pointing out that the volume of trade between the two sides reached approximately $200 billion in 2024. He explained that Chinese companies have also participated in the reconstruction of the Kurdistan Region’s economy, with financial cooperation expanding over the past two years.
Shafaq.com