Iraq to join China’s Belt and Road Initiative

Iraq will join China's signature "Belt and Road" infrastructure investment project, the country's prime minister said Monday in Beijing.

Abdel Mahdi made the announcement in a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on bilateral cooperation and the situation in the Middle East and Gulf Region at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

"Iraq has gone through war and civil strife and is grateful to China for its valuable support," said Mahdi, in comments broadcast on Chinese state media outlet CCTV.

"Iraq is willing to work together in the 'One Belt, One Road' framework," he added.

Hailing the two sides' traditional friendship, Xi stressed that China is ready to work with Iraq to push their bilateral strategic partnership to a new height from a new historical starting point.

China and Iraq celebrated the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties last year, the president noted, and this year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Beijing is Baghdad's biggest trade partner, while Iraq is China's second biggest oil supplier.

The Belt and Road Initiative is a massive global network of ports, railways, roads and industrial parks spanning Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe, which will see trillions invested in new infrastructure.

It has faced criticism for swaddling poor nations with crippling debt and been eyed with suspicion by Washington, which sees it as an attempt by China to grow its influence in the region.