UAE, CHINA VOW DEEPER STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
abu dhabi — The UAE and China have agreed to set up a “comprehensive strategic partnership” as President Xi Jinping wrapped up a three-day visit to the country.
“The UAE and China have agreed to enhance cooperation in all fields to higher levels and forge overall strategic partnerships,” the official Wam news agency said.
It said this would “contribute to cementing and intensifying cooperation, boost joint development and prosperity, which is consistent with the common interest of both countries and their peoples”.
The UAE has also expressed its keenness to support China’s ‘Belt and Road Initiative’, which aims to build a global transport and trade link. According to Chinese President Xi Jinping, the initiative has the backing of over 100 countries and international organisations.
In a joint statement issued by the two countries, China welcomed the UAE as an “important cooperation partner” in the construction of the Belt and Road.
The two sides expressed keenness to further facilitate movement of citizens through a “comprehensive visa waiver agreement, strengthening humanitarian ties and supporting tourism and cultural movement”.
Cooperation in the field of science and technology will see young Emirati scientists getting opportunities to conduct short-term scientific research in China.
China expressed support for the “constructive role” being played by the UAE in regional affairs, while the UAE hailed China’s “positive role” in international issues. The UAE also supports the position of the Chinese government on the Taiwan issue.
The three-day state visit of the Chinese President Xi Jinping to the UAE ended on Saturday with a high note on friendship and mutual cooperation.
Through a joint statement issued on the last day of Xi’s visit, UAE and China have agreed on a comprehensive strategic cooperation to enhance political trust, expand trade and mutual investment and energy cooperation, fight terrorism and facilitate knowledge exchange, among others.
The Chinese premier left the UAE on Saturday and he was bid farewell by the His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Commander of the UAE armed Forces.
The Chinese president expressed his happiness at his visit to the UAE, saying: “I would like to say that our meeting left a very deep impression on my mind. This visit certainly contributed to strengthening the relationship between the two countries as well as the personal friendship between us, and I am confident that the UAE under its leadership will achieve further progress and prosperity. As a strategic partner of the UAE, China will make joint efforts to achieve mutual interests.”
In turn, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Chinese president for his sentiments, saying: “We are proud of this relationship.”
After arriving in Abu Dhabi on Thursday evening, Xi took part in an official ceremony on Friday and high-level meetings that saw both the countries signing 13 memorandum of understandings across many sectors. Xi also received the Order of Zayed – UAE’s highest civilian honour – and also a thoroughbred Arabian horse as a gift from the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
Official news agency WAM reported that the UAE and China have agreed to enhance cooperation in all fields to higher levels and forge overall strategic partnerships, which would contribute to cementing and intensifying cooperation, boost joint development and prosperity, which is consistent with the common interest of both countries and their peoples.
On the political front, while both the countries have reinstated the need to respect national sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs, the UAE has expressed its unwavering commitment to the One-China Principle supports the position of the Government of the People’s Republic of China on the Taiwan issue. On the other hand, China supports the constructive role played by UAE in regional affairs. Both parties have also agreed to work on bringing reforms to the Security Council to enhance the representation and voice of the developing countries, including the Arab states.
Through the joint statement, both parties have also reaffirmed the desire for mutual cooperation in the Xi’s ambitious ‘Belt and Road’ initiatives. Enhancing cooperation in innovation, technology transfer, economic diversification and data
I would like to say that our meeting left a very deep impression on my mind. As a strategic partner of the UAE, China will make joint efforts to achieve mutual interests.” Xi Jingping,
Chinese president
exchange, enhancing the role of private sector in both countries to strengthen the economic cooperation, building partnerships in various economic sectors, especially in the logistics, transport, industry, technology, artificial intelligence and energy, renewable and food security, building free-economic zones are the major cooperation areas identified in the trade and economic fields.
The two sides will also encourage the establishment of educational projects in both countries. The cooperation in the field of science and technology will see young Emirati scientists getting opportunities to conduct shortterm scientific research in China. Developing cooperation between the two sides in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, space, energy, renewable energy, sustainable development, agriculture are also high on agenda.
Both the UAE and China support research institutions of both sides to carry out joint research.
The two sides have also reaffirmed their unequivocal rejection of all forms of terrorism, that represents a threat to the international peace and stability, and ensure security cooperation in this regard.
The two sides are also keen on boosting communication and cooperation to fight corruption and organised crime and cybercrimes, money laundering, human trafficking, drugs and illegal migration.
Cooperation in cultural and humanitarian field and also Consular agreements to facilitate free movement of their citizens from both sides have also been included in the renewed areas of cooperation..