On 5 September the religious leader of Russian Muslims, chairman of the RMC mufti sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin, met the Chinese delegation represented by Jiang Jianyong, deputy minister of the State Administration for Religious Affairs, and Hasan Fa Ming, chairman of the Islamic association of China within the framework of the International theological and research conference “Spiritual Silk Road. Creation. Integration” taking place in Kazan.
The parties discussed development of bilateral relations, including cooperation in the area of joint projects. The mufti officially invited the Chinese partners to participate in the 13th International Muslim Forum, which will take place on 1-12 December in Helsinki.
It should be reminded that there are historical ties between Russian and Chinese Muslims that keep strengthening. In 2008 a Memorandum on understanding and cooperation was signed between the Russia Muftis Council and the Muslim Association of China.
In 2015 mufti sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin and the general secretary of the Islamic Association of China, Badrutdin Go Chenzheng signed a new memorandum on understanding and cooperation. The purpose was to “join efforts aimed at spreading Islamic values and norms, increase the educational, economic, social and cultural level of the Chinese and Russsian Muslim communities, which will result in the development of interethnic and interfaith dialogue and mutual respect between our peoples based on universal and religious principles”.