You've heard of China's ping-pong diplomacy and panda diplomacy, but how much do you know about its hajj diplomacy? Below is an excerpt of an interesting article we found on Middle East Online, written by Alain Gresh of Le Monde: more ›

With 20 million Muslims around China, it is only in recent years that they have been able to go on the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca, Islam's holiest city, in substantial numbers. Thanks to rising affluence, growing numbers of Chinese Muslims are now able to fulfill their spiritual obligations of performing the Haj at least once in their lifetime, and this year, a record 10,700 of them are expected to do so. Five departure ports... more ›