Xi Jinping, President of China, on stronger economic ties with the UAE and the Middle East: Viewpoint

Over the years, the relationship between China and the UAE has been continuously strengthened, opening up a new pattern of comprehensive, practical, efficient and rapid development. China regards the UAE as a good friend and a good partner in the Gulf region, and is willing to elevate the level of strategic partnership so as to break new ground for friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the UAE.

It is important to stress that China is willing to conduct closer exchanges and cooperation in various fields and at different levels with the UAE. The two sides should strengthen practical cooperation under the framework of co-building the “Belt and Road” (located between the Middle East and China), so as to realise mutual benefits, win-win results and common development. China is willing to speed up the realisation of policies and projects with the UAE so as to push bilateral industrial cooperation in fields like energy, infrastructure construction, trade and investment, and aerospace.

It is believed that the establishment of the China-UAE Joint Investment Fund, through the signing of the memorandum of understanding on establishing the China-UAE Investment Cooperation Fund, is bound to play a critical role in deepening practical bilateral cooperation, which will stand out as a new highlight in the story of China-UAE cooperation. China is ready to work with the UAE to build the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank into a platform for infrastructure financing and investment with mutually beneficial results, so as to promote regional connectivity and economic development.

China is willing to actively work with the UAE to explore the possibility of launching third-party cooperation in Africa. China and the UAE should strengthen security cooperation as well as maintain close communication and coordination in major international and regional affairs.

The UAE is and will remain an important cooperative partner for China in the Middle East and the Gulf region. In recent years China-UAE relations have been developing comprehensively and rapidly. It is hoped that the two sides will consolidate mutual political trust and promote cooperation in fields such as energy, production capacity, finance and high technology – as well as people-to-people and cultural exchanges – under the framework of the “Belt and Road”, so as to advance the comprehensive and in-depth development of the China-UAE strategic partnership.

This is a solid and robust partnership, and China is delighted that the UAE is willing to participate actively in the construction of the “Belt and Road” and deepen practical cooperation, thus elevating the level of the strategic partnership.

With adherence to an open, inclusive and enterprising spirit, the UAE has created wonders in the desert through unremitting efforts, and has become an important bridge that connects China to the Arab world. The UAE holds a unique and valuable position, exerting significant influence in the Middle East and the Gulf region.

The Chinese side is willing to constantly propel the China-UAE strategic partnership and stands ready to combine its strategy of opening up to the west with its “Look East” policy, and give play to the respective advantages of both sides, so as to inject new impetus and open up new areas for bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Both sides can achieve mutually beneficial results by launching cooperation in industry, production capacity and other new fields, based on the continuous maintenance of traditional cooperation. The Chinese side is ready to strengthen coordination and collaboration with the UAE in international and regional affairs, and to jointly maintain the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.