China has vowed to support Islamic nations in their efforts to resolve conflict – including disputes over Kashmir – consolidating its ties in the Middle East as US influence wanes . The pledge from Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi comes as China faces increasing pressure from Western nations – especially the US – to take a tougher stand against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine , and as Washington’s ties with the Middle East face uncertainties. “China will continue to support Islamic countries in using Islamic wisdom to solve contemporary hotspot issues, and firmly hold the right to maintaining stability and promoting peace in its own hands,” Wang told the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in the Pakistani capital Islamabad on Tuesday. China will promote the settlement of the Palestinian issue on the basis of the two-state solution , and support Afghanistan to build up an inclusive government, Wang said in his address, according to a Chinese foreign ministry statement. “On the Kashmir issue, we have heard the voices of many Islamic friends again today, and China has the same desire for this,” he was quoted as saying, referring to the long-standing dispute between India and Pakistan over the Himalayan region, without elaborating further. India is expected to be the next stop on Wang’s tour of South Asia, with Nepal also on the list , though there has been no official confirmation as yet. The OIC bills itself as the second-largest global organisation after the United Nations, and has 57 members spread over four continents. Wang’s attendance at the OIC meeting as a “special guest” underscores China’s increasing engagement with Islamic countries as it faces deepening Western suspicions over ties with “no-limits” strategic ally Russia and alleged human rights violations in its Xinjiang region , relating to the mainly Muslim Uygur minority community. Ukraine: Pakistan’s Khan suggests China, Islamic states mediate conflict On Monday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced new visa restrictions on Chinese officials over their alleged persecution of ethnic and religious minorities both in and outside China. Wang Dehua, an expert on South Asian affairs at the Shanghai Municipal Centre for International Studies, said China needed to rally support on Xinjiang and was trying to strengthen ties with the OIC and Islamic countries such as Turkey – also a Nato member – which has some major reservations on Xinjiang. Wang’s reference was to Beijing’s treatment of Uygurs allegedly belonging to the East Turkestan separatist movement. “Islamic countries are key supporters of the multilateralism that China advocates. They want to promote Islamic unity and do not see eye to eye with the US over energy and geopolitical issues,” he said. Foreign Minister Wang also said China and the Islamic world shared a long tradition of close ties, and the two sides had always offered mutual support on core interests. He further pledged China’s commitment to Islamic countries safeguarding their sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. On Ukraine, Wang reiterated Beijing’s support for Moscow and Kyiv continuing talks towards achieving a ceasefire and eventual end to the war. “We need to prevent humanitarian disasters and prevent the spillover of the Ukrainian crisis from affecting or harming the legitimate rights and interests of other regions and countries,” he asserted. China would provide an additional 300 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine to Islamic countries and support OIC member states in Africa in the pandemic battle, Wang added. His pledges came as American ties with the Middle East, long a major focus of US foreign policy, face a setback. The chaotic withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan has triggered doubts over Washington’s defence commitments, and even relations with close ally Saudi Arabia are on uncertain ground after Washington said it would take a stronger stance against human rights violators. Why the US’ Middle East allies are losing faith in its security guarantees Zhao Gancheng, a researcher with the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, said Islamic countries are important partners for China in terms of trade, energy and diplomatic ties. “Wang’s participation in the OIC meeting is an important step marking China’s efforts to make friends and increase its presence in the Middle East,” he said. “It is an opportunity to boost China’s influence in regional affairs . China may not bring up the Xinjiang issue, but it’s worth noting that most Muslim countries have not used Xinjiang to attack China and they have distanced themselves from Western countries that regard China as an enemy.” Additional reporting by Shi Jiangtao