Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq (KRG.org) – Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani today received Mr Tan Banglin, envoy from China's Foreign Ministry appointed to be the first Chinese consul general in the Kurdistan Region.

Mr Banglin said that he was very pleased to visit the Kurdistan Region, stating that he has arrived in the Region during this difficult time to express China’s solidarity and support for Kurdistan and to determine how China can aid the Kurdistan Region in assisting refugees and the displaced.

He added that in the framework of China’s relations with the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, China’s Consulate General in Erbil will be inaugurated in the coming two months and that he will be appointed as his country’s first consul general in the Kurdistan Region. Through opening the consulate Mr Banglin said he will do his best to establish a bridge between China and the Kurdistan Region and will encourage Chinese companies and investors to participate in the reconstruction and economic development of the Region.

Prime Minister Barzani welcomed Mr Banglin to the Kurdistan Region and applauded China’s decision to open a consulate in Erbil and strengthen its ties with the Kurdistan Region. He said the decision is a vote of moral support for the Kurdistan Region at this challenging time, welcoming the step and conveying his full support for the decision to open the consulate.

In the meeting both sides discussed the mutual importance of strengthening bilateral ties in all sectors, especially trade and industry, as well as social and political relations. Both agreed on the need to support the KRG in fighting the terrorist militants.

Once the Chinese Consulate General in Erbil is inaugurated, all five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council will have diplomatic representation in the Kurdistan Region.