On February 28, Assistant Minister Shen Guofang, who was attending the conference of International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq (IRFFI) in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), met with Iraqi Minister of Planning and Development Cooperation Dr. Mehdi al-Hafedh, expressing willingness to take an active part in the reconstruction of Iraq.
Shen Guofang elaborated China's stance on the issue of Iraq to Mehdi al-Hafedh, hoping that Iraqis can govern Iraq themselves as early as possible and stressing that the United Nations should play a major role in the reconstruction of Iraq.
Shen Guofang said that China attaches great importance to taking part in reconstruction of Iraq. Chinese business have conducted some projects in Iraq and accumulated a lot of experience. They have strong advantages in many fields related to reconstruction of Iraq. Therefore, he hopes that China and Iraq can enhance exchanges and cooperation to pave a way for smooth reconstruction of Iraq. To that end, China welcomes responsible Iraqi officials to visit China and hold further discussions on specific measures about China's taking part in reconstruction of Iraq.
Mehdi al-Hafedh thanked China for its stance on reconstruction of Iraq, agreed with China's stance on UN's important role in reconstruction of Iraq and emphasized that Iraqi Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) is making efforts to pave a smooth way for Iraqis to govern Iraq. The date of take-over, i.e. June 30, will not be changed, which is an important condition for successful reconstruction of Iraq.
Mehdi al-Hafedh reiterated that Iraq welcomes China to take part in its reconstruction. Since the group tasked with restoration of Chinese embassy in Iraq has returned to Iraq for work, Iraq is willing to hold constructive dialogue with the group and explore ways for China to take part in the reconstruction. He also thanked China for its invitation and indicated that he is willing to keep contact with China with regard to the visit.
On that same day Shen Guofang also met with organizer of the meeting Mohammed Khalfan Bin Kharbash, Minister of State for Financial and Industrial Affairs of the UAE and exchanged views on China-UAE relations with him. During the meeting, Shen Guofang also met with US Assistant Secretary Earl Anthony Wayne and Japanese Ambassador in Charge of Iraqi Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Masamitsu Oki.
Zhang Zhijun, China's Ambassador to the UAE, was present at the meetings.