A reception was given in Beijing on Friday to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-Iraq diplomatic relations. Chinese senior legislator Zhou Tienong attended the event.

Zhou, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, the country's top legislative body, and Mohammad S. Ismail, Iraqi ambassador in Beijing, inaugurated the celebration by cutting a cake.

Addressing the reception, Ismail said the Iraqi government "welcomes China's enterprises, experts, technicians and capital to join in Iraq's rebuilding."

Feng Zuoku, vice president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), said Sino-Iraqi relations are facing new opportunity at present and also has a good prospect."

"We are ready to join hands with Iraqi friends to seize the opportunity, push forward our cooperation in all fields and head for a new era for both China and Iraq," he added.

The ceremony for issuing the commemorative First Day Cover was also held at the reception.

(Xinhua News Agency September 27, 2008)