ISTANBUL

China on Tuesday called the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) a symbol of "unity and independence" among Islamic countries and a bridge for promoting relations.

"The OIC is a symbol of unity and independence among Islamic countries and a bridge for promoting relations between China and Islamic countries," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said during a live-streamed news conference in Beijing.

Beijing's comments followed Türkiye hosting a 2-day meeting of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) foreign ministers in Istanbul over the weekend. The event was one of the most widely attended meetings in the history of the OIC.

Guo said that in recent years "China and Islamic countries and the OIC have deepened mutual trust, expanded cooperation in various fields, and strengthened exchanges among civilizations, which have yielded fruitful outcomes."

Beijing will continue to cooperate with Islamic countries and the OIC for the development of relations, added Guo.