Iraq oil minister courts Beijing

The head of Iraq's oil ministry invited Chinese companies to take part in the reconstruction of his country's oil industry, suggesting there were ample prospects for energy cooperation between the two countries. Thamir Abbas Ghadhban made the comments on a visit to Beijing where he held talks with Chinese vice-premier Zeng Peiyan. After the meeting, Zeng said restoration of Iraq's oil industry was vital to stabilizing the international oil market and hinted that China was eager to deploy funds, technology, technicians and equipment to Iraq in the near future.