The Opening Ceremony of the Consulate General of the Republic of Iraq in Guangzhou was held in Guangzhou on March 21.

The Consulate General of Iraq in Guangzhou is the first-ever consular agency established by Iraq in China. This year marks the 66th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations. As the Consulate General opened in Guangzhou, Iraq hopes to push for more friendly exchanges with southern China, especially Guangdong province.

Wu Xi, Director-General of the Department of Consular Affairs of the Foreign Ministry of China, congratulated on the opening of the Consulate General of Iraq in Guangzhou. She stressed that China and Iraq have developed profound friendship and built strategic partnership over the years. She believes the Consulate General will provide a new window for win-win cooperation and friendly exchanges between China and Iraq in the future.

Shorsh Khalid Said, Ambassador of Iraq to China, pointed out Guangzhou stands as a gorgeous city with a rich history that thrives in business. Through the Consulate General of Iraq in Guangzhou, he expected more bilateral exchanges and cooperation in commerce, culture and so on, to help build stronger ties between the two nations.

The Iraqi Ambassador to China, Shorsh Khalid Said, delivers a speech.

Lin Tao, Vice Governor of Guangdong province, indicated that the establishment of the Consulate General will promote the exchanges between Iraq and Guangdong. He stressed that Guangdong will stay in close contact with the Consulate General of Iraq in Guangzhou, so as to deepen practical cooperation between the two nations in economy, trade, investment, tourism, culture, and more. Guangdong will continue to join Iraq in the Belt and Road Initiative in ways that breed mutual benefits.