Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan Tuesday described the visit by Rowsch Nuri Shaways, Iraqi interim government's deputy president, as "important and conducive to Sino-Iraqi relations."  

Kong told reporters at a regular press conference that Shaways' visit would "enhance mutual understanding, make China's stance and position on Iraq issues more clear to the Iraqi people and help develop future bilateral cooperation of mutual benefits and friendly relations on the basis of the five principles of peaceful coexistence."

Kong said that Shaways has held talks with Chinese leaders to review the countries' relationship, during which China expressed its willingness to consider greatly reducing Iraq's debts to China and help with the rebuilding work so as to return Iraq to peace, stability and development.

Kong said the Iraqi general election to be held on January 30 is undoubtedly a major domestic matter for Iraq's political interim process.

He listed the three goals China believes the general election should fulfill: to safeguard Iraq's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, to promote national reconciliation and produce a universally representative and authoritative government of Iraq, and to help safeguard the fundamental interests of the Iraqi people.

China hopes the situation in Iraq will resume stable soon to create conditions for Iraq's smooth political and economic progress, he said.

Shaways paid a working visit to China from January 19 to 24 at the invitation of Vice President Zeng Qinghong.

Meanwhile, Kong said that he hoped the eight released Chinese citizens will come back to China within a day or two.

He said the eight citizens failed to leave Baghdad on Monday due to some problems with the flight.

Kong said he believed the Chinese Embassy in Iraq will make the utmost efforts and take the safest measures to let the eight released citizens back to China as soon as possible.

(Xinhua News Agency January 26, 2005)