Chinese Foreign Minister and State Councillor Wang Yi arrived in Pakistan to attend the 48th meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) as a special guest for the first time. Of its 57 member countries, 46 will be represented at the ministerial level while others will be represented by senior officials.  Significantly, Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen is among ministers of key countries who will not attend the annual conference. Dhaka is sending Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen to lead the Bangladeshi delegation.   

In a tweet on Tuesday, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan welcomed foreign ministers, observers, partners, and international organizations to the conference. 

“Under [the] overarching theme of ‘Unity, Justice & Development’, OIC-CFM will have wide-ranging deliberations. People of [Pakistan] are honoured with your presence,” he tweeted.

The two-day annual conference, scheduled on Tuesday and Wednesday, is themed on ‘Building Partnerships for Unity, Justice, and Development, and will focus on challenges faced by the Islamic world and emerging opportunities. 

“We always attend OIC meetings. I said before I'll go. But recently I got a little sick and the doctor suggested that I take some rest,” Foreign Minister Momen was quoted as saying by The Daily Star, in giving his reason for not attending. 

The participation of the Chinese Foreign Minister as a special guest at the OIC conference also drew some criticism from rights activists as Beijing faces allegations of widespread rights violations of its own ethnic Uyghurs Muslim community. There is overwhelming evidence suggesting China's attempt to suppress, dilute, and even eradicate Uyghurs' distinct Muslim identity.  

Conversely, his presence also signifies Beijing's growing clout among Muslim countries. China’s diplomatic support to countries, including Muslim countries, that often face allegations of human rights violations from the West, also gives Beijing an added leverage among these countries. 

(SAM)