Iraqi delegates visit Songyang county in Lishui, Zhejiang province, on Sept 18. [Photo/WeChat account: wbzjsy001]

An Iraqi delegation visited Songyang county in Lishui, Zhejiang province, on Sept 18, where they experienced the county's ecology, culture, and rapid development.

The county's protection and use of traditional villages was a focus of the visit. The delegation visited Chenjiapu village to learn about China's rural green development, focusing on ecology, culture, and the economy.

With more than 640 years of history, Chenjiapu is a well-preserved traditional Chinese village. Its cliffside landscape, traditional rural life and diverse businesses impressed the guests.

Karrar Anwar Al-Bdeery, policy adviser to the chief of staff of Iraq's Office of the Prime Minister, said the natural environment was beautiful and the village has a real sense of vitality.

In recent years, Chenjiapu has restored and repurposed old houses while introducing new businesses, seeking to preserve the village's traditional character while creating new economic opportunities. The approach has used the village's cultural heritage to support rural development and increase local incomes.

Mohammed Sameer Khazaal Khazaal, the external relations officer of Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, praised the village's practices and said he would share Songyang and Lishui's experiences as well as promote Chinese cultural heritage and advanced green development concepts back in Iraq.