Deputy Foreign Minister of Iraq Hisham Visits the ICC

On 18 April 2025, Deputy Foreign Minister of Iraq Hisham Ali Akbar Ibrahim Alalawi led a delegation of Iraqi Foreign Ministry counselors to visit the Jianguomen office area of the International Cooperation Center (ICC). Zhang Zhixiang, member of the Strategic Advisory Committee of the ICC and former executive director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for China, and Zhang Yu, the convener of the Joint Meeting and director of the Steering Committee of the ICC, met with the delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Hisham. The ICC, and the School of International Studies and the School of Global and Area Studies, Renmin University of China held talks with the Iraqi delegation. The two sides had in-depth exchanges on topics such as "the current regional and international situation", "deepening exchanges and cooperation between China and Iraq in various fields", "maintaining the common interests of the Global South", and "reform of the international financial order and financial cooperation between China and Iraq", as a result both had reached important consensus.

Both sides noted that China and Iraq enjoy a profound traditional friendship and a long history of friendly exchanges. The ancient Silk Road connected the two peoples long ago. Iraq was one of the first Arab countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. It is also an important partner of China in jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative in West Asia and North Africa. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the strategic partnership between China and Iraq and the signing of the cooperation document on jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative. Over the decade, bilateral relations have developed in a healthy, stable manner, and cooperation in various fields has yielded fruitful results. China is Iraq's largest trading partner and the largest importer of Iraqi crude oil. The two sides will actively promote the Belt and Road Initiative and Iraq's "Development Road" plan, enhance mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, energy, transportation to boost Iraq's economic and social development, both jointly advance China-Iraq and China-Arab relations to new heights.

Both sides emphasized that the current international situation is marked by turbulence and complexity, with protracted and escalating geopolitical conflicts, a sluggish global economic recovery, and the rising tide of unilateralism and protectionism. Multilateralism and international cooperation are facing severe challenges. At the beginning of this year, Iraq took over the chairmanship of the “Group of 77 and China”, which should join hands and take responsibility for the future of humanity and contribute to the common development of all countries. Middle Eastern countries, in the course of history, have developed the common characteristics of the "Global South" nations in their pursuit of independence, development, and justice. The uniqueness and diversity of Middle Eastern civilizations make these countries important partners for the "Global South" nations in terms of mutual learning and sharing of governance experiences. In the current and future cooperation among the "Global South" countries, Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries will play a significant role in maintaining global strategic stability, safeguarding regional and global security, and promoting global development cooperation.

The two sides also had in-depth exchanges of views on the current situation in the Middle East, the BRICS mechanism and "Global South" cooperation, as well as strengthening bilateral development experience and cultural and people-to-people exchanges. These are issues of mutual interest and concern at the bilateral, regional and international levels. Deputy Foreign Minister Hisham extended the invitations to the ICC, and the School of International Studies and the School of Global and Area Studies of Renmin University of China, hoping that the ICC would take the lead in establishing a "1.5 track" long-term exchange mechanism between Chinese institutions and the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They aim to reach consensus on cooperation, enhance strategic communication, strengthen political mutual trust, and strengthen coordination on major bilateral, regional and international issues. They will fully implement the important consensus of the leaders of the two countries, continue to promote the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative; furthermore to promote the strategic partnership between China and Iraq to continuously reach new heights. They will jointly contribute to building a China-Arab community with a shared future in the new era.

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry sent 14 counselors to attend the meeting, namely: Bahir Mirdan Madhkhoor Chlaihawi, Jassim Mohammed Lafta Al Janabi, Rand Adil Kamil Al Alousi, Zaytoon Faraj Abdullah Abdullah, Salma Qadoori Jabir Jabir, Amer Abdulhussein Abbas Al-Fatlawi, Abeer Salim Khaleefah Khaleefah, Labib Nashat Labib Al-Khudairy, Mohamed Rida A Z Hussain Al-Hussaini, Yaser Abdulrazzaaq Wahib Wahib, Wakas Saad Jasim Al-Hayani, Waseem Abed Mazyed Mazyed, Nezar Hassan Mohammed Taki Alhakim, Mohammad Omer S Ismael Al-Shaikhly.

Cheng Yu, executive secretary-general of the ICC, Xin Shaosong, deputy director of the ICC’s Office; Xu Zhengyuan, associate professor at the School of International Studies, Renmin University of China, and Liu Si, director of the foreign aid projects, attended the meeting and symposium.