As part of efforts to strengthen cultural ties between the Islamic world and the People’s Republic of China, a formal meeting took place on 10 July 2025 between the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, and Mr. Zheng Hao, Director-General of Bureau of International Exchanges and Cooperation of the Ministry.

The meeting began with a comprehensive presentation on ICESCO, in which Dr. AlMalik outlined the Organization’s civilizational vision and goals, highlighting its presence across 53 Member States. Moreover, Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO’s commitment to preserving and promoting tangible and intangible cultural heritage within and beyond the Islamic world.

The two parties discussed several priority areas for cooperation, including the protection of heritage sites, exchange of expertise in cultural preservation, and review of ICESCO’s Cultural Index, adopted at the Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World.

The two parties also emphasized the importance of youth as a foundation for future development and the need to design targeted educational programs for them, stressing the central role of culture in shaping identity and strengthening belonging.

The meeting concluded with a preliminary agreement on a set of initiatives, notably the organization of joint cultural seminars and conferences, the participation of China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism in the upcoming session of the Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World, and an official visit by a Ministry delegation to ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat. The discussions also explored the potential inclusion of Chinese youth in ICESCO’s cultural exchange programs, as well as the temporary secondment of two Chinese experts in culture and heritage to contribute to the Organization’s activities.

The proposal for China to join ICESCO as an observer member was also put forward, facilitating broader participation in the Organization’s programs.

The meeting concluded with an exchange of commemorative gifts as a gesture of friendship and mutual respect.
The meeting was attended by Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, and Ambassador Khaled Fatahalrahman, Head of ICESCO’s Center for Civilizational Dialogue, along with several officials from China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism.