*BEIJING: *Iraq will join China’s signature “Belt and Road” infrastructureinvestment project, the country’s prime minister said on Monday in Beijing.
Adel Abdel Mahdi made the announcement in a meeting with Chinese PresidentXi Jinping during a state visit.
“Iraq has gone through war and civil strife and is grateful to China forits valuable support,” said Mahdi, in comments broadcast on Chinese statemedia outlet *CCTV*.
“Iraq is willing to work together in the ‘One Belt, One Road’ framework,”he added.
Xi said that the two countries would cooperate on oil and infrastructureprojects.
“China would like, from a new starting point together with Iraq, to pushforward the China-Iraq strategic partnership,” said Xi.[image: PHOTO: AFP]
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Trade last year between China and Iraq was more than $30 billion, accordingto state news agency *Xinhua*.
Beijing is Baghdad’s biggest trade partner, while Iraq is China’s secondbiggest oil supplier.
The Belt and Road Initiative is a massive global network of ports,railways, roads and industrial parks spanning Asia, Africa, the Middle Eastand Europe, which will see trillions invested in new infrastructure.
It has faced criticism for swaddling poor nations with crippling debt andbeen eyed with suspicion by Washington, which sees it as an attempt byChina to grow its influence in the region. -APP/AFP
