RIYADH - President Xi Jinping said here on Friday that China will continue supporting Iraq's economic reconstruction and help it restore industries, improve people's livelihood and achieve sustainable development.

During his talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, Xi said Iraq was one of the first Arab countries to establish diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China, adding that since the establishment of the strategic partnership between the two countries in 2015, China-Iraq relations have seen sound and stable development, while bilateral cooperation in various fields has made steady progress.

China appreciates that Iraq has always firmly supported China on issues concerning China's core interests, and will continue to firmly support Iraq in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and to back all factions in Iraq to strengthen unity and cooperation, Xi said.

China is willing to work hand in hand with Iraq to continuously deepen the China-Iraq strategic partnership, he added.

China believes Iraq will continue to guarantee the security of Chinese personnel, institutes and projects and appreciates Iraq's active support for the Global Development Initiative and welcomes it to join the Global Security Initiative, Xi said.