China offers Iraq CNY80 mn for reconstruction efforts

China is supporting Iraq’s effort to reconstruct cities recaptured from the Islamic State with 80 million Yuans, Beijing’s ambassador to Baghdad declared Wednesday.

Ambassador Chen Weiqing made the declaration during a meeting with Iraqi President Fuad Masum at his presidential palace in Baghdad, according to a statement by the president’s office.

The announcement came as Weiqing was sending felicitations for Iraqis success in retaking the city of Mosul, Islamic State militants’ largest stronghold in Iraq, after three years of occupation.

The war against IS in Mosul has displaced more than 900.000 people since the launch of security operations in October and until the declaration of victory over the militant group last Monday.

Besides the human loss, the war in Mosul and at encounters at other IS havens in Iraq, have caused serious damages to infrastructure and basic services. Iraq intends to plead to world donors to assist in mending damaged cities.

A week ago, Lise Grande, the United Nations’ human rights coordinator in Iraq, estimated the amount needed for reconstructing Mosul by more than one billion dollars.

In a phone call with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Tuesday, Kuwait’s emir, Sabah al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah, said his country was ready to host an international conference for donors to Iraq’s reconstruction.


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