Chinese delegation in Iraq for oil search (07/03/07)

A Chinese delegation has arrived in Iraq with a mission to resume a US$700 million oil deal signed during Saddam Hussein's time, state media reported. "It's true that Chinese officials will be in Baghdad to discuss the exploration of the Ahdab oil field," said an unnamed official with the Chinese Embassy to Iraq, according to the Shanghai-based Oriental Morning Post.

The official also said Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and other high-ranking officials would visit China, with the specific date yet to be decided.

According to the Iraqi Oil Ministry, Oil Minister Hussein Al Shahristani met China's new ambassador Chen Xiaodong Monday to discuss a planned visit by President Jalal Talabani and the oil minister to China this month. Iraq holds estimated oil reserves of up to 115 billion barrels, the third biggest in the world.

Source: Bruneitimes