At a press conference held at the Chinese Consulate General in Erbil on Sunday, March 16th, Mr. Liu Jun, the Chinese Consul General, outlined China’s policy priorities and reaffirmed the nation's commitment to fostering closer ties with the Kurdistan Region (KI) and supporting regional stability.

The press conference began with a review of China's annual "Two Sessions," the National People's Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). These meetings, held in March, set the stage for China's policy and economic goals. Highlighting China's steady growth trajectory, Consul General Jun proudly emphasized that China achieved a 5% economic growth rate last year and is aiming for a similar target this year.

“China, as the second-biggest economy in the world, has an important role to play in promoting global stability and growth,” he remarked.

While global economic trends were addressed, the core of the discussion focused on China's relationship with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. Consul General Jun pointed to the remarkable expansion of these ties since the establishment of the Chinese Consulate in Erbil, capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, in 2014. Currently, around 3,000 Chinese nationals reside in the Kurdistan Region, working with a diverse array of companies.

"Since 2014, the relations between China and the Kurdistan Region have been on a very fast track, a very fast trajectory," the Consul General stated, underscoring the region's strategic location along the Belt and Road Initiative, China's ambitious infrastructure project.

The economic data presented was compelling. Trade between China and Iraq reached an impressive $54.2 billion last year, a 9% increase. While specific numbers for the Kurdistan Region were unavailable, Consul General Jun estimated that they comprised over $5 billion of that total, illustrating the region’s important contribution.

Consul General Jun emphasized that many Chinese companies are increasingly interested in exploring the various opportunities present in Kurdistan Region.

“We are seeing more and more Chinese companies coming to explore the business opportunities in the Kurdistan Region, which we consider a virgin land for Chinese investment," he asserted. "There is big potential for business collaborations.”

He particularly noted the investments by companies like POWERCHINA, currently building massive cement and power plants in the region with significant Chinese funding, and the establishment of cell phone manufacturing plants in Kurdistan Region.

Addressing the visa issue, Consul General Jun announced that for the first time this year, the consulate would begin issuing tourist visas to those wishing to visit China. This initiative, he said, would "continue to open our door to tourists, no matter where you are from."

A key aspect of China's commitment to the Kurdistan Region is its emphasis on human resource development. Last year, around 600 people from Kurdistan traveled to China for various training programs. Consul General Jun expressed his hope that this number would increase in the years to come.

"When China has already advanced and made a lot of economic growth and social development, we believe it's important to share our experience with you," Consul General Jun explained. Quoting President Xi Jinping, he added: "In a garden, if you only have one blossom, one flower is blooming, it's not spring. When you have all the trees, all the flowers are blooming, then we have the spring, the real spring."

Moreover, The Counsel General said China is working to open Chinese Language Department at Sulaymaniyah University to encourage the cultural understanding between them, after establishing the same department at Salahaddin University in Erbil in 2019.

To further enhance bilateral relations, Consul General Jun shared his goal to establish sister-city relationships between Chinese cities and cities in the Kurdistan Region, particularly with Sulaymaniyah. He also expressed a keen interest in exploring to create such sister-city relationships between Nanjing and Halabja in recognition of their respective tragic histories.

In the realm of regional politics, Consul General Jun addressed the challenges facing the Middle East and reiterated China's commitment to promoting peace and stability.

"We hope that peace and stability can be achieved through dialogue, through negotiation," he said, highlighting China's role in mediating talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

He also stated China’s readiness to help with the negotiations and support building healthy relationship between Baghdad and Erbil if both parties asked for help.

"Chinese policy is we don’t interfere into other country’s internal affairs, but if we are asked for help, we are ready to help," he affirmed.