¡°Arab civilization and Chinese civilization both advocate for mutual respect and equal dialogue. The ancient Silk Road connects Iraq and China. Today, the high-quality ¡°Belt and Road¡± joint construction brings the hearts of both peoples closer,¡± said Heidel Rubey, president of the Iraqi Chinese Friendship Association in an interview with the newspaper.

Last October, Rubaii went to Beijing to attend the China International Friendship Conference and the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. In his view, Chinese civilization is not only characterized by humility and tolerance, but also full of positive and enterprising spirit. The Communist Party of China (CPC) has led the Chinese people to create a miracle of rapid economic development and long-term social stability, and China has shown an unprecedented appearance in the new era. He believes that Iraq needs to learn from China's development experience and draw the strength of progress from its excellent traditional culture.

Rubai said that through the high-quality joint construction of the "Belt and Road", a large number of Chinese-funded enterprises have come to Iraq, which has played a huge role in local economic and social reconstruction. People-to-people bonds are the cornerstone of promoting the development of relations between countries. I hope that more Chinese enterprises will invest in Iraq and more Chinese people will travel to Iraq in the future.

Rubey visited China for the first time 20 years ago and has since established close ties with more and more Chinese enterprises and dealt with Chinese partners as friendly as a friend."Rubey said that Iraq has a long history and civilization with China and has a lot in common in cultural traditions and values.

Rubai's office is full of souvenirs related to China: sculptures of the Great Wall, photos with Chinese friends... Rubai said that China is his second hometown. "Every time I visit China, I feel like going home".

In order to further promote China-Iraq cultural exchanges and economic and trade ties, in 2018, Roubaix initiated the establishment of the China-Iraq Friendship Association. The China-Iraq Friendship Association opened Chinese classrooms and held Chinese level exams, which are also currently the only Chinese level examination point in Iraq. Currently, the Arab country is raising a ¡°Chinese heat¡±. More and more countries include Chinese in school compulsory classes, specializing in training local Chinese teachers. I hope that more Iraqi people will understand Chinese culture, and learning Chinese is an important way. More generation of young people who are familiar with each other¡¯s language culture will become Iraqi-Chinese-friendly people¡¯s messengers.