The Iraqi Ambassador to China, His Excellency Ahmad Berwari spoke to our China Correspondent Yao Chin about the economic and political relationship between Iraq and China.

YAO CHIN CGTN CORRESPONDENT"Your Excellency, thank you for talking to CGTN. China is Iraq's biggest trading partner. About a quarter of all Iraq exports (approx. $13 billion worth) come to China. In what areas do Iraq and China currently do business?"

AHMAD BERWARI IRAQI AMBASSADOR TO CHINA "Of course, as an oil exporting and producing country, the main item we are exporting to China is oil, crude oil. Chinese companies are very active in oil industry; energy - it means electricity in Iraq, communications, big companies, well known companies are active in Iraq and they have big customers and also infrastructure projects, and also transportation projects, railways and these things. You know, the majority of Chinese companies working in Iraq are developmental companies, public companies. It means the Chinese government is the biggest investor in the oil fields in Iraq. It means through supporting Iraq and updating and developing its oil industry, it is support for Iraq to come through these difficult times.

YAO CHIN CGTN CORRESPONDENT"In 2015 during Iraqi PM Haider al-Abadi's visit to China the two governments issued a joint statement upgrading their relationship to a strategic partnership. In what tangible ways has that brought the two countries closer and has it in any way contributed to increasing peace and stability in your country?"

AHMAD BERWARI IRAQI AMBASSADOR TO CHINA "After 2015, the Chinese government encouraged Chinese companies, in spite of the difficulties in infrastructure and also security in some parts of Iraq, to help Iraq, to go to Iraq. Trade and economic relations between the two countries has been increased after 2015, after the signing of the MOU. Secondly, the relations between the two countries in other fields has been also developed. As an example, the exchange of information, the coordination of positions internationally towards different issues in the world, not just in our region, and also militarily. Especially in the last years since 2014, Chinese companies were very helpful working in the defense sector to help Iraq to win the new, not traditional war against terror organizations like ISIS."

YAO CHIN CGTN CORRESPONDENT "Your excellency, Ambassador Ahmad Berwari, thank you very much for talking to China Global Television Network."

AHMAD BERWARI IRAQI AMBASSADOR TO CHINA "Thank you very much, you are very welcome, I am very happy to have the opportunity to reach the Chinese friendly people through this interview. Thank you very much."