On January 21, 2008, Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai Jun and the visiting Iraqi Deputy Foreign Minister Labeed Abbawi held the first political consultation between the two foreign ministries.

Zhai made highly positive remarks on the friendly relations between China and Iraq and expressed admiration to the Iraqi side for its adherence to the one-China position on the Taiwan question. He said that the Chinese side supports Iraq's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and rebuilding process and hopes Iraq realizes stability and development as soon as possible. China expects to conduct personnel exchanges at various levels and strengthen coordination on international and regional issues with Iraq. It encourages Chinese businesses to actively cooperate with Iraq in the economic and trade fields so as to push forward the bilateral relations.

Abbawi said that the Iraqi side attaches great importance to the political exchanges and cooperation in international affairs between the two countries and welcomes Chinese businesses to participate in its rebuilding process. The Iraqi government will continue to pursue the one-China policy and support China's reunification undertaking.

Both sides also exchanged opinions on such issues as the Iraqi situation.