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.
The Chinese side emphasized that it attaches importance to the role being played by the 57-member OIC as an influential organization. The OIC reciprocated by saying that it respected the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China.
The Chinese side briefed Ihsanoglu on China’s ethnic and religious policies, and informed him that Beijing protects the lawful rights and interests of minorities and upholds and develops the relations of equality, unity and mutual assistance among all of China’s nationalities. “The Chinese government is promoting economic, political, cultural and social progress as well as ecological protection of the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous region with a goal to bring its regional per capita GDP up to the national average level by 2015,” the communiqué said.
Ihsanoglu highlighted the OIC’s efforts to promote global peace and security on the basis of mutual respect and understanding and dialogue among civilizations, cultures and religions. “Both sides underscored that they are opposed to terrorism, separatism and extremism in any form,” the communiqué said.
