Mr. Mahmoud Mohammadi Araqi, Deputy Head of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance and Director of Islamic Culture and Relations Organization, paid a visit to China from Jun. 2 to Jun. 9, 2004 leading a 6-member delegation, at the invitation of Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China.

     Head of China's Islamic Association, Mr. Chen Guangyuan (Helel al-Din) met with Mahmoud M. in Beijing on Jun. 8. The two sides exchanged views on mutual relations in cultural, political and social areas.

     During his visit to China, Mahmoud also visited the cities of Xi'an and Quanzhou, which are two cities with close ties with Islamic Culture.