At the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani will pay a state visit to China from June 20 to 26.

This was announced by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang at a regular press conference Thursday.

When answering a journalist's question, Qin said Talabani will hold talks with Hu, and meet with China's top legislator Wu Bangguo and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, respectively, during his China tour.

The two sides will exchange views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concern, said Qin, adding the two sides will sign agreements on the cooperation between the two foreign ministries and on cooperation in such fields as education and health.

Besides Beijing, the Iraqi president will also visit northwest China's ancient city of Xi'an and Nanjing, capital of eastern Jiangsu Province.

Source: Xinhua