beijing china support iraq unity country foreign ministry say monday vote start independence referendum organize kurdistan regional government krg northern iraq ignore threats kurds neighbor vote expect deliver comfortable yes independence bind mean give massoud barzani krg mandate negotiate secession oil produce region baghdad neighbor state nl8n1m60e9 referendum hold despite intense international pressure barzani call amid fear would spark fresh conflict baghdad iraq powerful neighbor iran turkey chinese government support iraq sovereignty unity territorial integrity chinese foreign ministry spokesman lu kang tell daily news brief ask referendum hope relevant side resolve differences via dialogue find inclusive solution take account history reality jointly protect iraqi regional stability lu add help promote iraq rebuild counter-terrorism efforts accord joint interest countries region international community say china permanent member u.n. security council generally low-key player middle east despite reliance region oil try get involve example appoint special envoy syrian crisis china say adhere policy non-interference countries internal affairs generally take dim view independence secessionist movements around world home contend say separatist movements western regions tibet xinjiang repeatedly express concern self-ruled taiwan claim beijing could declare formal independence however beijing express openness toward independence vote side agree scotland unsuccessful 2014 referendum leave unite kingdom south sudan 2011 vote favor independence sudan china say support iraq 's unity kurds vote referendum