President Sheikh Mohamed met China’s President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday to discuss bilateral relations and opportunities to expand the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership already agreed between the two nations.
The discussions took place in the Great Hall of the People, where Sheikh Mohamed’s delegation was welcomed earlier by Mr Xi on the first day of a two-day visit to the country, state news agency Wam reported.
During the talks, both sides acknowledged that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the UAE and China. The moment is seen as an opportunity to celebrate the progress made over the last four decades, specifically in economic, cultural and international collaboration.
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Xi said they are committed to strengthening these ties and exchanged views on regional and international issues, including the war in Gaza.
Sheikh Mohamed thanked Mr Xi for the warm reception received in China, noting that relations between the two countries go back further than the start of formal diplomatic relations in 1984 because China recognised the UAE’s nationhood just days after its establishment in 1971.
Sheikh Mohamed also reflected on a visit by UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, to China in 1990. Images from the trip showed Sheikh Zayed visiting the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City in Beijing.
He noted that Mr Xi’s visit to the UAE in 2018 marked a further historic milestone, culminating in the declaration of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Sheikh Mohamed said ties between the two nations have strengthened since, in areas such as the economy, energy, industry, investment and culture. China is the UAE’s top global trading partner and, Sheikh Mohamed said, there are joint efforts to double the volume of trade in the coming years.
He said the UAE, which has been a strategic partner in the Belt and Road Initiative since its inception, serves as an important trade gateway to the Arabian Gulf, the Middle East and the wider region.
Mr Xi later hosted a banquet in Sheikh Mohamed’s honour, attended by the UAE delegation along with several Chinese ministers and senior officials.
On Thursday, Sheikh Mohamed said the UAE was committed to working with its neighbours to support and enhance Arab-Chinese co-operation.
He was speaking at the opening session of the 10th Ministerial Meeting of the China-Arab States Co-operation Forum.
Sheikh Mohamed also said he was confident China’s economy would continue to grow and develop while noting that the conference comes at a time when the world needs to unite in the face of common challenges.
He said the meeting represented the strength of Chinese-Arab relations and expressed his confidence that the summit would further enhance bilateral ties.
On Wednesday evening, Sheikh Mohamed was welcomed by a Chinese guard of honour at Beijing International Airport, after a two-day visit to South Korea.
He was met by a delegation including, Yin Hejun, China's Minister of Science and Technology, and Zhang Yiming, China's ambassador to the UAE.
Sheikh Mohamed has led a high-level delegation to China, which includes Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad, adviser for special affairs at the Presidential Court; Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology; Mohamed Alsuwaidi, Minister of Investment; and Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade.
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
The specs: 2019 Mercedes-Benz C200 Coupe
Price, base: Dh201,153
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 204hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 300Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km
hall of shame
SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.
BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66
UAE Tour 2020
Stage 1: The Pointe Palm Jumeirah - Dubai Silicon Oasis, 148km
Stage 2: Hatta - Hatta Dam, 168km
Stage 3: Al Qudra Cycle Track - Jebel Hafeet, 184km
Stage 4: Zabeel Park - Dubai City Walk, 173km
Stage 5: Al Ain - Jebel Hafeet, 162km
Stage 6: Al Ruwais - Al Mirfa, 158km
Stage 7: Al Maryah Island - Abu Dhabi Breakwater, 127km
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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