Vice premier attends reception for Islamic Corban Festival

Vice Premier Hui Liangyu on Thursday attended a reception in Beijing celebrating the annual Corban Festival. The reception was held by the Islamic Association of China (IAC) on the eve of this year's Corban Festival, a major Islamic festival. While delivering a speech at the reception, Chen Guangyuan, IAC president, extended well-wishes to Muslims in China and around the world, as well as to Chinese Muslims who are currently in Saudi Arabia for their annual pilgrimage. Chen said the IAC will continue to serve Chinese Muslims and make contributions to the country's economic development, social harmony and cultural prosperity. Also present at the reception were diplomats from Islamic countries to China and foreign Islamic experts working in China, as well as several senior Chinese officials. The festival, also known as Id al-Gurban, falls on Friday this year.