China's Xi discusses regional issue, cultural exchange with OIC chief

RIYADH, Jan. 19, 2016 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) meets with Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Iyad Ameen Madani in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 19, 2016. Xi arrived here on Tuesday for a state visit to Saudi Arabia, the first stop of his three-nation tour of the Middle East. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

RIYADH, Jan. 19 -- Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping met with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary-General Iyad Ameen Madani here on Tuesday to discuss regional issues and cultural exchange.

Xi, on a state visit to Saudi Arabia, said that the OIC is a symbol of unity for Islamic countries and has made significant contribution to cooperation among them. China and the OIC, in more than 40 years of friendly exchanges, have found a way for different cultures, religions and social systems to get along.

China welcomes the organization to serve as a bridge facilitating the development of ties between China and Islamic countries, Xi said.

Xi said China appreciates the OIC's denouncement of terrorist attacks that took place in China, and is willing to build on common interests so as to have closer ties and grow together with Islamic countries within the framework of the "Belt and Road" initiative.

The "Belt and Road" initiative was put forward by Chinese leaders in 2013 to facilitate interconnectivity and regional development.

Xi said that there should be more dialogues between Chinese and Islamic cultures and that there should be more international cooperation to facilitate the resolution of the Palestine issue.

China is willing to coordinate with Islamic countries on regional and global issues, Xi said.

Iyad said that the OIC highly values its relations with China, and that it appreciates China's position on Middle East issues. The OIC expects China to play an even greater role on Middle East and African affairs.

Xi arrived in Saudi Arabia Tuesday on the first stop of his three-nation tour of the Middle East, as the world's second largest economy seeks to boost political and economic ties with the region.