Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, leading a high-level ministerial delegation, arrived in Beijing on Sunday at the start of his first China visit, which is expected to strengthen economic ties.

During his tour, which ends on Thursday, Maliki will meet President Hu Jintao, hold talks with Premier Wen Jiabao, meet Chinese entrepreneurs and visit flagship high-tech firms.

The Aswat al-Iraq news agency quoted Ali al-Dabbagh, the Iraqi government spokesman, as saying the leaders of the two countries will discuss the development of bilateral relations, especially in the fields of energy, transportation, agriculture, commodities, services and investment.

Ali al-Mousawi, an adviser to Maliki, told Aknews that the prime minister's visit is aimed at attracting more Chinese investment in Iraq.

China is currently involved in several sectors in Iraq, including electricity, water, manufacturing and oil.

Last month, China National Petroleum Corporation started operations at the Al-Ahdab oilfield in Iraq, making it the first major new area to start production in Iraq in 20 years. The site is expected to produce around 25,000 barrels of oil per day in the first three years.

Gao Zugui, associate president at the Research Institute for International Strategic Studies, affiliated to the Party School of the Central Committee of Communist Party of China, said Sino-Iraqi ties have enjoyed sound and stable development since the US-led invasion in 2003.

"Iraq has been facing lots of challenges since its reconstruction started and China has taken an active part in the process through both bilateral and multilateral cooperation. China has also reduced and cancelled Iraq's debts and offered various kinds of assistance," Gao said.

"All these efforts by China have laid good foundations for the two countries to enhance political understanding and mutual trust," he added.

He predicted that Maliki would seek further economic and trade cooperation with China and that his first visit to the country would bear fruit.

"Energy has always been an important field for both countries and will undoubtedly be the mutual focus during Maliki's visit," Gao said.

With US troops set to leave by the end of this year, China will find more opportunities as Iraq starts to shoulder more responsibilities for its development and defense, Gao added.

Mousawi said that the visit would also deal with political issues.

"China is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and is influential in the formation of international decisions, so politics will inevitably come up," he said.