Visiting Deputy President of the Iraqi Interim Government Rowsch Nuri Shaways hoped that Iraq and China will further strengthen their cooperation in cultural exchanges during his visit to Shanghai Museum on Sunday.

Both Iraq and China enjoy a long history and a rich ancient civilization, and Iraqi people have always treasured a friendly feeling for China, said Shaways.

He expressed his strong interest for Chinese arts when visiting Bronze gallery of Shanghai Museum, saying that Shanghai is not only famous as a business and economic hub but also prosperous in culture.

Shaways expressed the hope that Iraq Museum and Shanghai Museum can create a cooperation mechanism to broaden the fields of cooperation between the two sides.

Shaways arrived in Shanghai Saturday from Beijing to continue his five-day working visit to China at the invitation of Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong.

(Xinhua News Agency January 24, 2005)