Iraqis praise Belt and Road Initiative for bolstering global development, justice, and peace

STORY: Iraqis praise Belt and Road Initiative for bolstering global development, justice, and peace DATELINE: May 27, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:52 LOCATION: Baghdad CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of Iraq 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): DR. AQIL HAMDAN, Professor at al-Mustansiriyah University 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): HAIDER AL-RUBAIE, Head of the Iraqi-Chinese Friendship Association 4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): ANWAR AL-BAHADLI, Member of Popular Movement of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Port of al-Faw in Iraq STORYLINE: Scholars and observers in Iraq have spoken highly of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Aqil Hamdan, a university professor, said that the BRI is a modern economic system that aims to move developing countries to a better condition. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): DR. AQIL HAMDAN, Professor at Al-Mustansiriyah University in Iraq "Going back to our region, the Arab Gulf region, most of the countries in the Arab Gulf region have joined (the Belt and Road Initiative) and one of the most

Demand for books on China keeps growing in Iraq

STORY: Demand for books on China keeps growing in Iraq DATELINE: Dec. 4, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:07 LOCATION: Baghdad CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the street "al-Mutanabi" 2. various of book stores 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): SALAM RAHMAN, Owner of a bookstore in al-Mutanabi Street in Baghdad 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): AQEEL AL-RUBAIE, Professor in politics at the Baghdad-based Imam Jaafar al-Sadiq University 5. SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): MOHAMMED JAMIL, Professor of anthropology and sociology at Baghdad-based al-Mustansiriyah University STORYLINE: The bustling street "al-Mutanabi" in downtown Baghdad, a unique cultural area and a bookselling center, has witnessed a growing demand for books on China over the years. Nowadays, writings on China are among the top-selling items. Many Iraqi people attribute the increasing interest in China to the deepening bilateral ties, especially the growing cooperation within the Belt and Road framework. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): SALAM RAHMAN, Owner of a bookstore in al-Mutan