H. E. Prof Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference paid an official visit to the People's Republic of China on 17-21 June 2010. During the course of his visit he was received by H E Mr. Wu Bangguo, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China and H E Yang Jiechi, the Foreign Minister. He also held meeting with the Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun and Director General Wang Zuoan of the National Administration for Religious Affairs. He also visited Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and Xinjinag Uyghur Autonomous Region. On behalf of the OIC and in his own name, the Secretary General expressed gratitude for the warm and cordial reception and hospitality extended to him and his delegation by the Chinese authorities.

 
  On the basis of the fruitful interaction and discussion between the Chinese and OIC delegations, both sides highlighted the historical dimension of the Chinese-Muslim World relationship referring to the centuries' old bond of friendship and cooperation between the two great civilizations. They expressed their determination to continue to cooperate to further the existing relationship in all areas of mutual concern.

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

  Both sides recalled that the OIC and China share common position on many international issues and therefore highlighted the importance of support provided to each other on issues of shared concern with particular reference to the issue of Palestine and Middle East Peace Process.

  The Chinese side emphasized that it attaches importance to the role played by the OIC as an influential intergovernmental organization. The OIC emphasized that it respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China.

  The Chinese side briefed the Secretary General on China's ethnic and religious policies, and stressed that the People's Republic of China is a unitary multi-national state built up jointly by the people of all its nationalities, and the state protects the lawful rights and interests of the minority nationalities and upholds and develops the relationship 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 Uyghur Autonomous region with a goal to bring its regional per capita GDP up to the national average level by 2015.

  The Secretary General briefed the Chinese side on the works of the OIC as well as about its Charter and the basic principles therein which are based on the concept of promoting international 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.

  Both sides agreed to jointly organize an academic seminar on the historical relationship between China and the Muslim World with a view to make it a concrete means of consolidating friendly relationship between China and the OIC and explore future possibilities.

  Both sides underlined that the OIC and China would work together to carry forward their traditional friendship and increase exchanges and cooperation between them.