UAE AND CHINA INK 13 STRATEGIC ACCORDS
abu dhabi — In what is considered to be a new milestone in the UAEChina relations, the two countries signed 13 major agreements on Friday, with the aim of strengthening strategic partnerships and bilateral cooperation across various sectors.
The UAE leadership bestowed the Order of Zayed, the country’s highest civilian honour, on Chinese President Xi Jinping after a ceremonial reception was accorded to him at the Presidential Palace. He was welcomed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
The national anthems of both the countries were played, and Xi inspected the guard of honour in the presence of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. Later, a 21-gun salute was fired in honour of the Chinese President who is on a three-day state visit to the UAE.
In a closed door meeting, both the leaders, accompanied by highlevel dignitaries, discussed bilateral cooperation, and regional and international issues.
The Official news agency Wamreported that 13 memorandums of understanding were signed between the two countries.
In the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, conferred the Zayed Medal on Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
The UAE leaders discussed strengthening of bilateral ties as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest with the Chinese President.
The Chinese President, who is on a three-day state visit to the UAE, was also accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi on Friday by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and other ministers, including Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Industry; Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation; and Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and Adnoc CEO; were also present.
National anthems of both the UAE and China were played, and Xi inspected the Guard of Honour, accompanied by the Crown Prince.
After the ceremony, leaders of both the countries went for a closed door ceremony along with highlevel dignitaries from both sides.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid
UAE-China talks are an important milestone for historical ties that join the two countries, which were founded by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.”
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid
affirmed that these talks reflect the emphasis the two countries place on developing strategic partnerships. “UAE-China talks are an important milestone for historical ties that join the two countries, which were founded by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan,” he said, noting that he accompanied the late ruler on the first state visit to China 28 years ago. “This visit represented a strong starting point for the great development of ties witnessed by the two countries over the years, reaching the highest level of political and economic coordination, cooperation and knowledge exchange.”
The flourishing of UAE-China ties has resulted in facilitating 100 weekly flights between the two countries, where the UAE assists Chinese trade via links to 444 destinations across the world, he added.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid went on to praise China’s economic prowess and development under the leadership of President Xi, which has had a significant impact on establishing China as the second largest economy in the world. He described China’s comprehensive economic development as inspiring, highlighting that the UAE and China share many common future visions and goals.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid noted the ideas contained in President Xi’s book on governance and administration, and how the government has a role in ensuring the happiness of its people, as well as the importance of enhancing the capabilities of its youth and society as a whole via innovative ideas. “President Xi’s belief in the effective role of soft power to stimulate positive synergy across various sectors, his valuing innovation as an essential element in development, as well as the interest in technology and its impact on shaping the future, are in line with the values that form the basis of the UAE’s development plans,” he explained.
Xi arrived in Abu Dhabi on Thursday evening and was welcomed by the UAE’s top leadership at the Presidential Airport. The Chinese premier’s aircraft was escorted by UAE warplanes, when it entered the country’s airspace on Thursday.
The Chinese president had earlier said that he was looking forward to working with the UAE leaders “to draw up a blueprint for China-UAE cooperation so as to unlock its full potentials and advance China-UAE relations at a higher level and build a China-UAE community of shared future in Belt and Road cooperation”.
The state visit coincides with the UAE-China Week that is being held from July 17 to 24 at the Manarat Al Saaadiyat, featuring a range of Chinese cultural activities, including film screenings and art exhibitions.