Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong met with Deputy President of Iraqi Interim Government Rowsch Nuri Shaways in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Thursday afternoon.

Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong (R) shakes hands with visiting Iraqi Deputy President Rowsch Nuri Shaways in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 20, 2005.

During the meeting Zeng expressed China's deep concern about the kidnapping of eight Chinese citizens in Iraq and wishes that the hostages be released as soon as possible.

Zeng said the people of China and Iraq share a long-standing tradition of friendship. The Chinese government has always had it on mind to safeguard the fundamental interests of the Iraqi people when dealing with the Iraq issue. Zeng said China is willing to join efforts with Iraq to work for the development of Sino-Iraqi relations that is oriented to the future.

Shaways said the Iraqi side does not want to see the kidnapping of the eight Chinese citizens. He said the Iraqi side is taking efforts to seek the earliest possible release of these innocent people.

On the domestic situation of Iraq, Shaways said Iraq's current priority is to hold the general election on schedule and to continuously push forward political transition and resumption of all-round sovereignty of the country. He thanked the Chinese side for its support and aid to the political and economic rehabilitation of Iraq, hoping that Iraq would continue to receive the support of China.

Shaways reiterated that Iraq regards Taiwan as an inseparable part of China's territory, saying that Iraq will stick to the one-China principle.

Zeng said China wishes to see the general election be conducive to maintaining independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq. China hopes the general election would help promote national reconciliation and produce a universally representative government of Iraq. China also hopes the general election would help improve the relations between Iraq and its neighbors and promote long-term stability and peace in the Gulf region, Zeng said. He expressed the hope that the general election would help Iraq return to the international community as a stable, developing new nation that plays its due role in regional and international affairs.

Shaways arrived in Beijing Wednesday evening for a five-day working visit to China.