On December 22, 2015, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) Zhang Dejiang met at the Great Hall of the People with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi of Iraq.

Zhang Dejiang expressed that the ancient Silk Road once linked China with Iraq. The joint building of the "Belt and Road "proposed by President Xi Jinping provided new opportunities to the deepening of China-Iraq cooperation in various areas in the new era. Communication and cooperation between bilateral legislative bodies constitute an important part of China-Iraq relations. Based on the big picture of the development strategy of bilateral relations, the NPC of China is willing to, together with the Council of Representatives of Iraq, deepen the friendly relations between both legislative bodies, strengthen friendly exchanges in all levels, carry out experience exchanges in governance and administration of state affairs and legislation, and continuously improve the safe and law-based environment for cooperation so as to pass down the traditional friendship between China and Iraq, consolidate the public opinion and social foundation for the development of bilateral relations and make positive contributions to the in-depth development of bilateral relations.

Haider al-Abadi noted that the Iraq-China traditional friendship has withstood the test of time. The Iraqi side is looking forward to boosting cooperation with China in energy, anti-terrorism and other areas as well as promoting exchanges between both legislative bodies.

Wang Chen attended the meeting.