‘Surprises in store’ for Chinese tourists at Expo 2020

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid promised “many surprises in store” as he encouraged Chinese travellers to visit Expo 2020 next year.

The Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai said China and the Emirates had undergone similar rapid development in recent years and shown that “impossible doesn’t exist”.

Speaking to Beijing’s state broadcaster, CCTV, he said: “The Chinese can find their visas waiting for them at our airports.

“More than 10 years ago, I held a lecture at Gulf University in Bahrain in which I said that global power is heading East – and by that I meant China. China will lead the global economy.”

Sheikh Mohammed said Beijing’s Silk Road project, also known as the Belt and Road Initiative, would boost trade in the coming years.

“The Silk Road is highly important for the UAE, and we have allocated $3 billion (Dh11.01bn) to contribute to this megaproject,” he said. “The Chinese President has revived the Silk Road, which connects the West with the East and vice versa.

“The UAE was the first to support the Silk Road project. We manage 77 ports around the world, and this project is important to us. Investing in it will bring benefits to everyone.”

Sheikh Mohammed invited the CCTV correspondent to tour Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve, considered the largest unfenced nature reserve in the UAE. He spoke of the desert and how it is an integral part of Emiratis’ character.

“We are the sons of this desert – it is our treasure,” he said. “For some, the desert is arduous and dangerous, but for us, we know it well and it has taught us valuable lessons.

“Dubai was once small, but the determination of its people was great. Now, we look forward to Dubai becoming the ‘perfect city’. We want it to serve as a model for countries seeking to evolve. For me, the word ‘impossible’ doesn’t exist – it was invented by the weak.

“We have created plans for all our emirates for several years. We are continuing the hard work, and Dubai and the UAE will become a role model for the world, particularly in the Middle East, in education, health, technology and other fields.”

The Silk Road is highly important for the UAE and we have allocated $3 billion to contribute to this megaproject SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN RASHID Vice President and Ruler of Dubai