China Daily reports that during a meeting with Maliki on Tuesday, Chinese President Hu Jintao hailed the traditional friendship between the two peoples, saying bilateral ties have entered a new stage since the founding of the new Iraqi government:
"China will work with the Iraqi side to steadily promote exchange and cooperation in politics, economic and humanitarian fields, and enhance communication and coordination on international and regional affairs."
Dabbagh said Iraq wanted more than just Chinese investment in the energy sector:
"In oil, they have a good investment but we want to have more than in oil, more than energy. In reconstruction ... I think there are huge opportunities for Chinese to participate in construction. Petrochemicals and steel, there is a good chance. And refineries as well, there is a good chance."
Dabbagh also said Iraq was open to Chinese help in providing training for its military, and maybe weapons:
"Iraq is going to take over and Iraq is going to take the full responsibility and we don't think there is going to be any gap. Training, we are negotiating with many countries. I think that China could have training support if we buy some weapons and equipment from them."
China traditionally has had limited diplomatic sway in the Middle East, even as it relies heavily on energy imports from the region.
Analysts say China wants to avoid messy entanglements with Middle East countries and has no appetite for turning the regional upheaval into a point of confrontation with the United States.
(Sources: China Daily, Reuters)
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