Prof. Zhou Yu Dong, Deputy Ruler of Ningxia autonomous province, received yesterday in China, Omar Ahmed Adi Nasib Al Bitar, UAE Ambassador to the People's Republic of China.
The visit comes as part of the opening ceremony of the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cultural Centre in Wuzhong city of the Hong Bo C of the province.
Prof. Zhou Yu Dong extended thanks to the UAE, led by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for the donation to build the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cultural Centre and a mosque in province, pointing out that the project would contribute towards achieving stability and ensuring settlement of the region's displaced inhabitants, who are minority Muslims.
He also highlighted the level of the Chinese-UAE bilateral relations, extending an open invitation to the Emiratis to exchange visits and cooperate with Ningxia.
He also pointed out that Ningxia, as per the strategy of the Chinese Government, is deemed an important gateway for cooperation with Arab and Islamic countries.
On his part, Al Bitar extended thanks to the Ningxia Government for cooperation with the UAE citizens to contribute in providing for humanitarian projects in the province, stressing the UAE's keenness on enhancing cooperation in all domains with China in general and Ningxia in particular.
The UAE Ambassador opened the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cultural Centre and Mosque in the presence of the representatives of the local government, Ningxia Charitable Association and the people of the province.
The mosque, which will provide services to Ningxia Muslims in particular and China in general, will accommodate more than 1,200 male and 300 female worshippers, school classrooms, housing apartments and other services. The construction of the mosque was completed in a record time of less than nine months.
Source: WAM