China is willing to deepen strategic communication and cooperation with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Monday.
The 50th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC was held on Aug 29 in Yaounde, Cameroon, where cooperation between China and the organization was praised.
"On August 29 and 30, the 50th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) commended the progress in China-OIC cooperation and looked forward to further advancing cooperation with China. China welcomes the statements. China and the Islamic world share traditional friendship. Both sides firmly support each other in upholding respective core interests and enjoy fruitful results in their Belt and Road cooperation. China stands ready to continue working with Islamic states to implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, and promote world peace, stability and sustainable development," said Mao at a regular press briefing.
"The OIC is a symbol of the solidarity of Islamic states and an important bridge to promote relations between China and Islamic states. China stands ready to continue deepening strategic communication with the OIC, conducting cooperation in various fields, and making continued progress of bilateral relations," said the spokeswoman.
China ready to deepen strategic communication with Organization of Islamic Cooperation: spokeswoman
Beijing's consumer gold market has been running hot during the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, despite recent rises in the gold price on international markets.
Last week, the main contract for gold futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange (COMEX) has risen to over 2,600 U.S. dollars per ounce.
At a gold shop in Beijing's Xicheng District, the price of pure gold jewelry went up to about 737 yuan (about 104 U.S. dollars) per gram, but many shoppers are still looking to buy gold jewelry especially during the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday and the end-of-summer wedding season.
"It is now more than 700 yuan (about 98.7 U.S. dollars) per gram, but when we were here about two months ago, it was only just above 600 yuan (about 84.6 U.S. dollars) per gram," said a customer.
"I'm getting married, so I came to have a look. Even if the price goes up, we still have to buy it," said another customer.
"I had nothing to do during the holidays, so I came here to take a look [at the gold jewelry]. I just bought a lucky charm bead and now I want to take a look at the bracelet," said another customer.
At the shop's gold investment counter, many consumers have been making inquiries about gold bars, which has long been considered a safe investment, although experts recommend caution in the rising gold market.
At the shop's gold investment counter, many consumers have been inquiring about gold bars, which have long been considered a safe investment. However, experts recommend caution in the rising gold market.
"Many investors will buy gold bars for medium- to long-term investment based on their expected price as part of their overall family asset allocation. We suggest that investors be more rational in their decisions," said Li Yang, a senior gold investment analyst.
Beijing consumer gold market remains hot despite rising prices
