At a press conference held at China’s Consulate General in Erbil on Sunday, March 16, Liu Jun, China’s Consul General, outlined China’s policy priorities and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to fostering closer ties with the Kurdistan Region and supporting regional stability.
The press conference began with a review of China’s annual “Two Sessions,” the annual sessions of the National People’s Congress and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. These meetings, held in March, set the stage for China’s policy and economic goals. Highlighting its 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.
Commercial opportunities
While global economic trends were addressed, the core of the discussion focused on China’s relationship with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. Jun pointed to the remarkable expansion of these ties since the establishment of China’s Consulate in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, in 2014. Currently, around 3,000 Chinese nationals reside in the Kurdistan Region, working with a diverse array of companies.
“Since 2014, relations between China and the Kurdistan Region have been on a very fast track, a very fast trajectory,” Consul General Jun stated, underscoring the region’s strategic location along the Belt and Road Initiative, China’s ambitious global 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, Jun estimated that they comprised over $5 billion of that total, illustrating the region’s important contribution.
Consul General Jun also emphasized that many Chinese companies are increasingly interested in exploring the various opportunities present in the 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 collaboration.”
He particularly noted the investments by companies like POWERCHINA, which is currently building massive cement and power plants in the region with significant Chinese funding, and the establishment of cell phone manufacturing plants.
Cultural and educational ties
Jun announced that, for the first time, in 2025 the consulate would begin issuing tourist visas to those wishing to visit China. This initiative, he said, would “continue to open our doors 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. Jun expressed his hope that this number would increase in the years to come.
“When China has already advanced and realized significant economic growth and social development, we believe it’s important to share our experience with you,” Jun explained. Quoting Chinese President Xi Jinping, he added: “In a garden, if you only have one flower blooming, it’s not spring. But when you have all the flowers blooming, then we have real spring.”
Moreover, Counsel General Jun said China is working to open a Chinese Language Department at Sulaymaniyah University in order to encourage cultural understanding between the two peoples, after establishing the same department at Salahaddin University in Erbil in 2019.
To further enhance bilateral relations, Jun shared his goal of establishing sister-city relationships between Chinese cities and those in the Kurdistan Region, particularly with Sulaymaniyah. He also expressed a keen interest in creating such a sister-city relationship between Nanjing and Halabja in recognition of their respective tragic histories.
Regional peace and stability
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 and 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 relationships between Baghdad and Erbil if both parties were to ask for help.
“Chinese policy is that we don’t interfere in other country’s internal affairs, but if we are asked for help, we are ready,” he affirmed.
Qassim Khidhir has 15 years of experience in journalism and media development in Iraq. He has contributed to both local and international media outlets.
