Facing the rising sun, the journalist walked through the streets and alleys of Karbala, the capital of Karbala Province in Iraq, and arrived at the Al Muta Ali Carter International School. The students welcomed each other in their finest attire, their faces beaming with joy. Welcome to this beautiful school! "Third grade student Asal walked up and greeted the reporter in English. This new school constructed by a Chinese enterprise is one of the 1000 demonstration schools in Iraq. The 1000 demonstration school project has benefited more than 500000 Iraqi primary and secondary students. It is a major livelihood project in the country and an important project of high-quality cooperation between China and Iraq on the "the Belt and Road". China Power Construction has undertaken 679 demonstration schools distributed in 10 provinces of Iraq. These demonstration schools are designed modern, fully functional, and have excellent environments, and are affectionately referred to as "Chinese schools" by the Iraqi people. I am very happy to attend such a school. This is a public international school with over 200 teachers and students, and it is the best equipped school in this area! ”Rabab Mayal, the principal of Al Muta Ali Carter International School, proudly introduced that whenever she sees students unwilling to leave after school and hoping to stay in the school for a while, she feels gratified. The classroom is bright and clean, with the sound of students reading loudly. Teacher Halla Musidi is teaching English to fourth grade students. Harla said that after moving to the new campus, all the excellent students who originally wanted to transfer stayed, and everyone's learning enthusiasm was stronger, and their grades improved a lot. I am very happy to attend such a school, I love my school, "11 year old Haider happily walked over and told reporters. Her classmate Sukena said that when she grows up, she will also become a teacher in this school. There are a total of 44 demonstration schools in Karbala Province. In the past, children didn't even have a playground to play on. The demonstration school was fully functional and beautifully designed. "Teacher Busra Huddle once taught at an old school, but due to severe lack of teaching facilities, students could only take turns teaching three classes a day. The demonstration school not only provides guarantees for students to attend classes normally, but also equips multiple functional classrooms to stimulate students' interest. In the art room, students diligently paint and depict their expectations for the future; In the computer room, students operate computers and browse the Internet under the guidance of teachers; In the library, painted reading books are popular... Fourth grade student Mohammed picked up a doll he made himself and said, "The library is also our handicraft classroom. This is Ali, and this is Hassan. They are good friends." Ahmed Ali, the head of the demonstration school project department of the Iraqi Cabinet Secretariat in Karbala Province, said that the demonstration school project is the first of its kind in Iraq, equipped with laboratories, libraries, network facilities, and multi-functional sports fields, integrating modern design and sustainable concepts. From a blank slate to rising from the ground, the responsibility and excellent skills demonstrated by Chinese builders are admirable, "Ali said." We have built a new generation of teaching facilities and are also building a better future for the next generation in Iraq. "The bell rang for the end of class, and the day's courses came to an end. The students put on their backpacks and playfully left the classroom. Under the golden sunshine, the campus echoes with joyful laughter. Driving south from Karbala city for about 2 hours, crossing the quietly flowing Euphrates River, you will arrive at Al Tura Girls' School located in Divaniye, the capital of Kadisia province, with the goal of studying in China and exploring a wider world in the future. Al Tura Girls' School is one of the first demonstration schools in the area to pass the completion inspection and be handed over. The school teaching building is designed with wedge-shaped characters, and the orange and white exterior walls are particularly eye-catching. Principal Mayada Kadim said that the school's architectural design is in line with the cultural characteristics of the two river basins and can inspire students' sense of pride. Her granddaughter is in first grade at this school. "On the first day of school, I told her to take good care of the school facilities because this' Chinese school 'will take 20 or even 50 years," said Amal Taher, a demonstration school project engineer and father of two children. As a parent, I deeply understand the importance of good learning conditions for children's education. Whenever I see many children in Iraq having to attend classes in makeshift houses, the motivation to put 'Chinese schools' into use as soon as possible becomes even stronger. Amar said that the demonstration school project involves many departments, but everyone's goal is the same, which is to' build the demonstration school into a model for Iraqi schools and alleviate students' difficulties in attending classes'. Do you think this goal has been achieved? ”Upon hearing this question, Amar smiled. He said that teachers and students have the most say, 'It's not difficult to find answers from their smiling faces.' On campus, students rushed to the front of reporters. Emma, who is 10 years old, said that she loves playing with her classmates in the spacious hallway during breaks; 11 year old Hardier said she loves English classes the most; Fourth grade Fatima said she hopes to learn more about China and study abroad there in the future... "Learning in such an environment gives children more opportunities to achieve their dreams. ”English teacher Zahara Ayissa said. Moamer, a parent of a student, said that since moving to a new school last year, he has clearly felt that his daughter has become more confident. Every day after school, she shares new things happening on campus. Compared with the school composed of temporary board houses, the teaching conditions of the demonstration school have achieved a leapfrog improvement. I sincerely hope that she can study well in such an environment and go to China to study and see a broader world in the future. Marwan Hassan, the head of the project department of the demonstration school of the Iraqi Cabinet Secretariat in Qadisiyah Province, has 20 years of work experience in the field of teaching infrastructure. He stated that there are a total of 61 demonstration schools in the province of Cardicia, and the scale, scope, and difficulty of project construction are unprecedented. Cardicia is an agricultural province with a highly dispersed population and distant distribution of demonstration schools. Being able to complete all 61 demonstration schools on time is a huge achievement in itself. I want to thank Chinese companies for their construction quality and speed, "he said. Ahmed Jalihavi, the head of the education department in Qadisiyah Province, said, "Demonstration schools are not only an important milestone in the development of education in Iraq, but also another witness to the friendship and cooperation between Iraq and China." "Sowing the seeds of friendship in the hearts of children," said Ahmed Jalihavi, the head of the education department in Qadisiyah Province. Located south of Qadisiyah Province, the Tigris River and Euphrates River intersect here, giving birth to the long-standing two river civilization. A unique cultural exchange event between China and Iran is being held at Farah School in Nasiriyah, the capital of Zijar Province. In the 2nd century BC, Zhang Qian of China sent an envoy to the Western Regions, opening up the 'Silk Road' to Central and West Asia. This road connected China with Babylon, which is now Iraq... "said a staff member of China Electric Power Construction. The students listened attentively and raised their hands in the interactive Q&A session, sharing their understanding of China: "Beijing is the capital of China" "I hope to climb the Great Wall"... The cultural exchange activities of Farah School attracted multiple Iraqi media interviews. Nasiriyah News Network reporter Murtada followed and filmed the entire process. In his view, the 1000 demonstration school project has laid a solid foundation for the development of education in Iraq. Mohammed Wahab, editor of the largest newspaper in Iraq, the Morning Post, said, "Thank you to the friendly country of China for building high-quality schools in Iraq and providing strong support for its reconstruction." In the school library, there are Arabic picture books introducing the situation between China and Iraq. The head of the library, Mohammad Ariza, said, "Iraq and China are both ancient civilizations. I hope these picture books will sow the seeds of friendship in children's hearts." Farah is a welfare elementary school with nearly a hundred orphaned students. School principal Hamza Saad said that education is the ladder to promote economic and social development and human civilization progress. At Farah School, the importance of education in shaping children's future is even more prominent. "Thank you to the Chinese builders, the demonstration school is a model of friendly cooperation between Iran and China!" Farah School is the first completed and handed over school in the demonstration school project undertaken by China Electric Power Construction. Last January, Iraqi Prime Minister Sudani attended the school handover ceremony. The transfer of the Farah School project is a milestone in Iran China cooperation, "said Sudani. The Iraqi government will continue to improve educational facilities, enhance the quality of education, and strive to create a better future for students. Jijiaer Province is one of the provinces with the largest number of demonstration schools constructed by China Electric Power Construction Corporation. Project manager Liang Honggang introduced that the project team not only ensured the progress of the project, but also trained nearly 50 professional engineers and more than a thousand professional technicians for the local area. These local talents are capable of independently completing various construction operations. (AFP) Peng Gang, general manager of POWERCHINA Middle East and North Africa regional headquarters, said that POWERCHINA is committed to promoting mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Iraq, building bridges of friendship and popular support for both sides, and will continue to work with all parties to contribute to the economic and social reconstruction of Iraq and inject new impetus into the high-quality joint construction of the "the Belt and Road" between China and Iraq. (New Society)