BEIJING, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday congratulated Fuad Hussein on reassuming office as foreign minister of Iraq.

In his message, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said China and Iraq share a deep traditional friendship and China attaches great importance to developing its ties with Iraq.

Wang also voiced his willingness to maintain close contact with Hussein and make unremitting efforts to deepen the China-Iraq strategic partnership.