On the afternoon of March 25, 2004, President Hu Jintao met with Bahr Ul-Uloum, visiting President of Iraqi Governing Council (IGC) at the Great Hall of the People.

Hu said the friendship between our two peoples goes back to ancient times and the two countries established diplomatic relations in as early as 1958. The Chinese Government and people highly value China-Iraq friendship and are willing to consolidate and develop the friendly and co-operative relations between the two countries on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. Hu noted the political and economic reconstruction of Iraq has drawn wide attention from the international community. China has consistently respected Iraqi independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, respected the choices, rights and interests of the Iraqi people and supported the United Nations (UN) to play its due role in the reconstruction of Iraq. China is deeply sympathetic with the difficult situation currently faced by the Iraqi people and has rendered humanitarian assistance to Iraq within its capacity. China stands ready to take an active part in the reconstruction of Iraq and to work with the international community to help the Iraqi people embark on a road to peace, stability and development as soon as possible.

Ul-Uloum expressed his appreciation for Hu's meeting with him. He said China is a country with time-honored history and has made remarkable contributions to the history of human civilizations. He added his delegation were pleased to have the opportunity to visit such a great country as China and hoped this visit would further promote the friendly and co-operative relations between the two countries. Ul-Uloum expressed his thanks for China's understanding and support for Iraq on the Iraqi issue. He noted China's support for the UN's role in the reconstruction of Iraq has been well received by the Iraqi people. Iraq boasts about abundant resources and diligent people but is now faced with an arduous reconstruction task. As China has made brilliant achievements in its economic growth, its successful experience in economic development is of high reference value to the reconstruction of Iraq. The two countries can carry out co-operation in such areas as infrastructure construction, medical care and public health, and human resources. Iraq is looking forward to China's active participation in its reconstruction.

State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan attended the meeting.