Iraqi deputy president says "very delighted" to hear news on hostage release

Visiting Deputy President of the Iraqi Interim Government Rowsch Nuri Shaways said in Shanghai Saturday evening that he was very delighted to hear the news on release of eight kidnapped Chinese citizens in Iraq.

According to the Al-Arabiya television station on Saturday, the eight Chinese citizens held by Iraqi militants since Tuesday have been released. The Chinese embassy in Baghdad has confirmed the report and is trying to contact them.

While meeting Vice Mayor of Shanghai Tang Dengjie, Shaways saidthat it has always been the stance of the Chinese government to show sympathy and support for the Iraqi people, and the Iraqi people, likewise, hold friendly feelings toward China and its people.

Iraq and China will have a splendid prospect in relationship, he said.

Shaways arrived Shanghai Saturday afternoon from Beijing to continue his five-day working visit to China at the invitation of Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong.

Shaways described his meeting with Chinese leaders in Beijing as "fruitful" and his China's visit as "successful".

Shaways hoped China could join in the rebuilding of Iraq, that is also why he came to visit Shanghai, one of the globally-renowned economic and business centers.

He said he believes the Iraqi transitional government that willbe elected in the near future will be conducive to the future friendly cooperation between China and Iraq.

Tang briefed the guest on Shanghai's economic and social development.

He said the Chinese people has all along cherished friendly feelings toward the Iraqi people and he hoped Iraq could resume peace at an early date to pursue development.

Source: Xinhua