China moved to solidify its influence in the Islamic world by proposing a new “security partnership” with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). During high-level talks in Beijing on Monday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha to reaffirm Beijing’s strategic commitment to the 57-member bloc. Against a backdrop of persistent volatility in the Middle East, Wang called for a united front to oppose “power politics and intimidation”, urging developing nations to reject a return to the “law of the jungle” in international relations.
The discussions, part of Taha’s official visit to China from January 22 to 27, accompanied by an OIC delegation, part of Taha’s official six-day visit to China, underscored the deepening alignment between Beijing and the Islamic world. Wang, a senior member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, praised the OIC for its firm support on sensitive issues, specifically the status of Taiwan and Xinjiang. “China has always attached strategic importance to developing relations with Islamic countries,” Wang stated, emphasising the need to facilitate political settlements for urgent regional hotspots while safeguarding peace in the Middle East.
Strengthening Political Trust and Security Ties
The centrepiece of the discussions was the proposal for a robust security framework designed to protect the legitimate rights of developing nations. Wang argued that “true multilateralism” must replace unilateral actions, positioning China and the OIC as exemplars of Global South unity. This partnership aims not only to address immediate security concerns but also to act as a counterweight to perceived Western hegemony. Taha reciprocated this sentiment, expressing the OIC’s eagerness to deepen the partnership for regional stability. He explicitly commended China’s contributions to seeking a “comprehensive, lasting, and just settlement” of the Palestinian issue and signalled a desire for Beijing to play an even greater role in future mediation efforts.
Expanding Cooperation Beyond Geopolitics
Beyond security, the dialogue focused on practical collaboration under the high-quality Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Both leaders reviewed potential advancements in economic, cultural, educational, and health sectors. Earlier on Monday, Taha also met with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, who lauded the OIC as a vital “bridge” to the Islamic world. Han reiterated China’s keenness to coordinate on international issues of mutual interest, highlighting shared histories of national struggle as a binding force between the two civilisations. As the delegation’s visit concludes on 27th of January, this engagement signals a clear intent from Beijing to integrate its development and security initiatives more closely with the Islamic world’s priorities.