OIC to expand cooperation with China

In a statement after his meetings with Chinese officials, he said the two sides would jointly organize an academic seminar on the historical relationship between China and the Muslim World.

"The seminar aims at consolidating friendly relations between China and the OIC and explore prospects of expanding cooperation in the future," Ihsanoglu said. "Both sides underlined that the OIC and China would work together to carry forward their traditional friendship and increase exchanges and cooperation between them," a joint communiqué said.

During his five-day visit to China from June 17 to 21, the OIC chief met with Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun and Director General of the National Administration for Religious Affairs Wang Zuoan.

He also visited Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and Xinjinag Uighur Autonomous Region. "Both sides highlighted the historical dimension of the Chinese-Muslim World relationship," the communiqué said referring to the centuries-old bond of friendship and cooperation between the two great civilizations.

Both sides explored different avenues for enhancing the consultation and cooperation between the OIC and China, particularly in the political, economic, trade and cultural fields.

"The OIC and China share a common position on many international issues and this therefore highlights the importance of support provided to each other on issues of shared concern with particular reference to the Palestinian issue and the Middle East peace process," the communiqué said, Kazinform refers to The Arab News.

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