China is glad to note the recent progress achieved in Iraq's transitional process in politics, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a regular press conference Thursday. 

Iraq's Transitional National Assembly elected Kurdish leader Jalal Talabani Wednesday as the new president for the transitional period. Adel Abdul Mahdi, a Shiite who was finance minister in the outgoing government, and Sunni leader Ghazi Yawar, a former president, were appointed as the first and second vice presidents.

The forming of the three-member presidential council finally put an end to the long haggling between the winning Shiite and Kurd blocs and lawmaker said a new government will be established next week.

Qin said China is willing to further promote friendly cooperation with the Iraqi transitional government and will continue to support the reconstruction of Iraq.

(Xinhua News Agency April 8, 2005)