On September 13, the reception in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Iraq was co-hosted in Beijing by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in China. Mr. Arken Imirbaki, Vice Chairman of Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and President of the Chinese-Arab Friendship Association, Madam Lin Yi, Vice President of the CPAFFC, Mr. Chen Xiaodong, Assistant Minister of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the representatives from the relatives institutions and organizations such as International Department of CPC Central Committee, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Education, China Youth Federation, enterprises and the main media institutions, as well as all the diplomats from the Embassy of Iraq and Iraqi immigrants in China and relative embassies together about more than 300 guests attended the reception.
Before the reception, Vice Chairman Arken Imirbaki met with Ambassador Berwari and Mr. Haider Al-Rubeiy, President of Iraqi-China Friendship Association who came all the way from Iraq for this function. They visited the exhibition of pictures of Iraqi customs and relations between the two countries together.
Vice President Lin Yi and Ambassador Ahmad Berwari delivered speeches respectively at the reception.
President Lin Yi said in her speech that, China and Iraq have traditional friendship. At present, Iraq has become China's third largest trading partner in the Arab world and the fourth largest supplier of crude oil in the world. China has been Iraq's largest trading partner and crude oil buyer for many years. The CPAFFC looks forward to working with Iraqi side to further promote the development of friendly and cooperative relations in various fields between China and Iraq and jointly create a better future for both countries.
Ambassador Berwari recalled the long history of bilateral exchanges between Iraq and China and thanked the Chinese government and people for their consistent support for Iraq over the past 60 years. He firmly believed that the profound and friendly relations between China and Iraq would continue.
During the reception, Vice Chairman Arken Imirbaki and Ambassador Berwari unveiled the commemorative envelop and the stamps for 60th anniversary. Vice Chairman Arken Imirbaki presented the commemorative porcelain plate of the envelope and Xi Jinping: The Governance of China I and II to Ambassador Berwari and then, they cut the celebration cake for 60th anniversary.
At the reception, the Iraqi folk music band and Chinese dancing group presented the wonderful shows.
