Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan Tuesday described the Iraqi Interim Government Deputy President Rowsch Nuri Shaways' visit to China as "important and conducive to Sino-Iraqi relations."

Kong told reporters at a regular press conference in Beijing that Shaways' visit would "enhance mutual understanding, make China's stance and position on Iraq issues more clear to the Iraqi people and help develop future bilateral cooperation of mutual benefits and friendly relations on the basis of the five principles of peaceful coexistence."

Kong said that Shaways has held talks with Chinese leaders to review the countries' relationship, during which China expressed its willingness to consider greatly reducing Iraq's debts to China and help with the rebuilding work so as to return Iraq to peace, stability and development.

Kong said the Iraqi general election to be held on Jan. 30 is undoubtedly a major domestic matter for Iraq's political interim process.

He listed the three goals which he said China believes the general election should fulfill: to safeguard Iraq's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, to promote national reconciliation and produce a universally representative and authoritative government of Iraq and to help safeguard the fundamental interests of the Iraqi people.

China hopes the situation in Iraq will resume stable soon to create conditions for Iraq's smooth political and economic progress, he said.

Shaways paid a working visit to China from Jan. 19 to 24 at the invitation of Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong.

Source: Xinhua