Chinese vice president meets OIC secretary-general

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha in Beijing on Monday.

Han said the OIC serves as an important bridge for developing ties between China and Islamic countries. In 2024, President Xi Jinping sent a special representative to attend the 15th session of the OIC summit and also a congratulatory message to the conference, which further boosted the development of the China-OIC relations.

China appreciates the OIC's emphasis on its relationship with China, and hopes Islamic countries will continue to staunchly support China on the Taiwan question, Xinjiang-related issues, and other issues concerning China's core interests, Han said.

For his part, Taha said the OIC sincerely appreciates that President Xi has attached great importance to and provided guidance on the ever-deepening friendly ties between China and Islamic countries.

The OIC is ready to advance pragmatic cooperation with China on all fronts and will continue to offer unwavering support for China on the Taiwan question and Xinjiang-related issues, Taha said.

Iran's Organization for Renovation, Development, and Equipment of Schools, reported on Sunday that a total of 1,486 schools and educational units were demolished or damaged in the military actions launched by the United States and Israel against the country.

Hamidreza Khan Mohammadi, head of the organization, said that attacks have struck 153 districts across 22 provinces in Iran, with 11 schools completely destroyed, while 1,489 schools and educational facilities -- including 1,214 schools and 275 educational spaces -- sustained partial or total damage.