The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) in the People’s Republic of China inaugurated the Center for Arab Cultural Studies at the University. The Center marks the culmination of the strong partnership between ICESCO and BLCU and aims to foster closer academic and cultural ties between the Islamic world and China.

The Center was inaugurated on Monday, 28 September 2026, during a visit to the University by a delegation from ICESCO, led by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Organization. During the visit, the two sides signed a memorandum of cooperation to implement several joint initiatives in scientific research, Arabic-Chinese translation, and scholarships, as well as to establish academic and scientific platforms for civilizational dialogue between China and the Islamic world.

The new Center aims to advance specialized academic research on the Arabic language, its history, civilization, and societies. It will also serve as a research hub supporting joint scientific studies, publishing specialized research and publications, and convening high-level academic forums. In addition, it will promote academic exchange and facilitate visits by researchers and scholars between universities and research institutions in China and the Islamic world.