China signs deal for Expo participation
WORLD’S NO 2 ECONOMY TO SHOWCASE LATEST TECHNOLOGY, THE ONE BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE IN PAVILION
China will be showcasing its latest technology as well as its Belt and Road initiative at Expo 2020 Dubai, as country confirms its participation
China said it will be showcasing its latest technology as well as its ‘Belt and Road’ initiative at its pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, as the country confirmed its participation.
Ni Jian, China’s ambassador to the UAE, yesterday signed a contract with the Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau confirming that China will take part in the event. Construction of the Chinese pavilion will start in the next months, the ambassador said.
Asked about the value of China’s investment in the pavilion, he said he was unsure but it may be “over $100 million [Dh367.3 million]”.
Comprehensive cooperation
“We will show the ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative to show different technologies in new China. The UAE is a very important country on the route of the ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative,” the ambassador said.
“The relationship between China and the UAE is fantastic... Now we have comprehensive cooperation in different fields — economy, politics, culture, education — and I think the Dubai Expo will strengthen relations between China and the UAE.”
The relationship between China and the UAE is fantastic... Now we have comprehensive cooperation in different fields — economy, politics, culture, education — and I think the Dubai Expo will strengthen relations between China and the UAE.” Ni Jian | Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the UAE
Trade between the UAE and China reached $41 billion (Dh150.59 billion) in 2017, the ambassador said, with projections for that to increase by around 5 per cent year-on-year.
Also speaking at the signing was Najeeb Al Ali, executive director of the Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau, who said that construction at the Expo site is well underway.
“We have started the construction of all the major infrastructure within the Expo 2020 [site], and we are today well underway as per the plan we set,” Al Ali said.
“Our ultimate plan is to have the major infrastructure finalised by October 2019, which is one year before the official opening of Expo 2020.”
He added that construction activities are expected to ramp up in the next two quarters of this year.
Last week Luxembourg became the first foreign nation to break ground for its pavilion at the Expo site.
Construction of the metro link to the Expo site has also started.
So far, over 170 countries have confirmed their participation in the Expo, with the Bureau anticipating over 180 countries will take part in the event that kicks off in October 2020.