JEDDAH: Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Zhai Jun Saturday led his nation's first high-level delegation to the General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Conference in Jeddah. During the visit, both sides explored initial steps to conduct an academic symposium on the historic links between the Islamic and Chinese cultures, which will be held in Istanbul. The visit came after the OIC Secretary General, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, visited China in May. The officials also agreed to develop plans and procedures for communication and political consultation to reach mutual understandings. Jun, who spoke to the press in excellent Arabic, stressed that China has always supported the Muslims' causes, especially the Palestinian conflict. “In China, we are interested in our relations with the Islamic countries around the world and we consider these countries our allies in international affairs and forums,” Jun said. “We think we have a mutual interest in facing the new challenges this year.” He explained that China was the first non-Arab country that recognized the Palestine Liberation Organization in the 1960s and that it will be the first country to recognize the Palestinian state when it is announced by the United Nations. “Today, we had an extended session with the Chinese delegation and exchanged plenty of common ideas between the Muslim countries and Chinese government,” said Ihsanoglu, who has visited Muslim-minority areas in China and observed developmental projects there to raise living standards. He said that while most of the 57 OIC members have excellent relations with China, ongoing efforts and dialogue are required to maintain and strengthen them.
