China calls for "Closer Ties" with Iraq

China's President Hu Jintao on Tuesday said China is ready to enhance political and economic cooperation with Iraq during the first China visit of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki. During a meeting with Maliki, Hu hailed the traditional friendship between the two peoples, saying bilateral ties have entered a new stage since the founding of the new Iraqi government. He said the two sides should bolster cooperation in two-way trade, oil and gas, and infrastructure construction. "China will, as always, support the new Iraqi government''s efforts in safeguarding independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and in promoting national reconstruction and long-term peace and stability," China Daily newspaper quoted President Jintao as saying. For his part, Maliki said his government takes China as an "important partner", expressing his country''s readiness to further cooperation in politics, economy, trade, energy, infrastructure, science and technology and culture. He welcomed Chinese investors and pledged to stick to the one-China policy.