Context
Iraq and China on Monday pledged to conduct further cooperation in electricity, oil exploration and other areas, and signed two deals. The pledge came during a meeting between Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his visiting Iraqi counterpart Nuri Al-Maliki. Wen said during the talks that China would continue to assist Iraq in economic reconstruction and infrastructure development. Maliki said he hoped more Chinese firms will invest in Iraq and urged both the sides to boost cooperation is areas such as electricity, oil and gas, transportations, agriculture, telecommunications and housing. He promised measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens in Iraq and protect Chinese interests there.
