Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid discusses trade opportunities with senior Chinese official

Ruler of Dubai highlights growth of UAE-China relations

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, meets Chen Miner, a member of the Chinese Communist Party Politburo and Party Secretary of Tianjin. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, met a senior member of the Chinese Communist Party on Tuesday.

The meeting, which explored ways to enhance co-operation between the two nations, was hosted by Sheikh Mohammed and attended by Chen Min'er, a member of the Chinese Politburo and Party Secretary of Tianjin.

Sheikh Mohammed highlighted the continuous growth of UAE-China relations under the leadership of President Sheikh Mohamed and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Dubai Media Office reported.

The meeting also focused on efforts to enhance bilateral co-operation, with the consolidation of trade a prominent area of discussion, as China is currently the UAE’s top global trading partner.

Sheikh Mohammed discussed opportunities emerging from China’s Belt and Road Initiative. He emphasised that the UAE plays a vital strategic role in the region, while the two men also touched on how to expand co-operation in investment, industry, technology and clean energy.

The need to intensify peacekeeping efforts around the world, and particularly in the Middle East, was also discussed.

Sheikh Mansour holds talks

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, also held high-level talks with Mr Chen on Tuesday.

Sheikh Mansour conveyed the greetings of President Sheikh Mohamed to China's President Xi Jinping during the meeting, held at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi. Mr Chen returned the gesture on behalf of Mr Xi.

The two men discussed areas of co-operation between the allies across all sectors, particularly in trade, investment and development.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, meets Chen Miner in Abu Dhabi. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

Formal ties between the UAE and China were established in 1984. This was followed six years later by a historic visit by UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

President Sheikh Mohamed this year met Mr Xi in Beijing to discuss bilateral relations and opportunities to expand the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership already agreed on between the nations.

Sheikh Mohamed undertook a two-day state visit to China to acknowledge the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the countries. The visit was seen as an opportunity to celebrate the progress made over the past four decades, specifically in economic, cultural and international collaboration.