China and the UAE agree comprehensive strategic partnership
China and the UAE forged even closer links between the two countries during the landmark state visit after finalising a ten-point agreement on a range of issues, from international affairs to the economy and trade and renewable energy.
1. Politics: The two countries agreed to support each other on issues of security and to work together on regional and international challenges. The nations also confirmed that the number of high-level state visits between China and the UAE will increase.
2. Economy: The UAE offers its full support to China's Belt and Road Initiative, which will combine a land 'economic belt" and a "maritime silk road" that will link China with the Arabian Gulf as well as Southeast, South and Central China, North Africa and, eventually, Europe.
3. Business and innovation: The two nations are committed to exploring new partnerships in sectors such as Artificial Intelligence, energy, the aviation and transport industries and have vowed to build economic co-operation through the UAE-China Business Committee.
4. Education, science and technology: The Partnership Programme between Arab countries in Science and Technology will encourage young Emirati scientists to conduct research in China, while the nations will work together on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, renewable energy and space projects.
5. Renewable energy and water: The two countries will partner to develop renewable energy schemes and work to reduce climate change. The nations have also reiterated their support for the Abu Dhabi-based International Renewable Energy Agency.
6. Oil and gas: The UAE and China will work in partnership in the crude oil trade and the exploration and development of oil and natural gas resources.
7. Military and law enforcement and security fields: Joint training will take place between the Chinese and UAE armed forces, while the two nations will step up efforts to combat terrorism and organised crime.
8. Culture and humanitarian issues: Joint cultural projects will be developed and partnerships will be cultivated on the preservation of heritage, contemporary art and tourism.
9. Movement between countries: China and the UAE made clear their intent to encourage travel between the countries through a wide-ranging visa waiver agreement.
10. Implementing the strategic partnership: The Intergovernmental Co-operation Committee, established last year, will be used to ensure the objectives of the partnership are implemented.
The UAE and China agreed a strategic partnership to further strengthen political, economic, trade and security ties between the two nations as President Xi Jinping's historic three-day state visit concluded yesterday.
The two countries issued a joint statement outlining a ten-point agreement to bolster co-operation on a wide range of political matters and cement investment and trade partnerships bridging the Middle East and the Far East.
President Xi Jinping left the UAE yesterday after the first visit by a Chinese president to the country in 28 years. On Friday he was received by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi, where they held high-level talks.
As he departed yesterday, the Chinese president expressed his happiness at the visit, saying it had enhanced the "friendship" between the countries.
"I would like to say that our meeting yesterday left a very deep impression on my mind," Mr Xi said.
"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 Mohammed bin Zayed expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Chinese president for his sentiments, saying, "we are proud of this relationship."
It was a visit which Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed said was "historic" and would bring "prosperity and development" to the people of both countries. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said the UAE is striving to "consolidate cultural, public and humanitarian relations in addition to the existing strong political and economics relations."
In the joint statement yesterday the countries stressed their eagerness to deepen bilateral relations that have been growing since a strategic partnership was signed in 2012.
They have agreed to work more closely together on political issues both regionally and internationally, will establish sustainable trade and investment partnerships and will continue to cultivate partnerships in a wealth of economic sectors, including the growing field of Artificial Intelligence, energy, transport, industry and provide training for small and medium business enterprises to contribute to the economic strength of both China and the UAE.
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The nations have also made a declaration to co-operate on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, space projects and renewable energy and have sealed a comprehensive visa waiver agreement, to make travelling between the countries easier.
China and the UAE also signed 13 memorandums of understanding and agreements to boost non-oil bilateral trade by more than 9 per cent to $58 billion this year.
Deals struck include a partnership between state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and China National Petroleum Company that could lead to Chinese investment in UAE projects such as an aromatics plant and a new refinery. A key UAE-China Economic Forum was also held as part of the state visit.
During talks at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi on Friday, the UAE leadership bestowed the Order of Zayed upon President Xi.
The UAE's highest civil decoration, named after the Founding Father, is rarely bestowed and reserved for the country's most esteemed partners among heads of state around the world. Recipients include Saudi Arabia's King Salman, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and King Mohammed VI of Morocco.
The milestone visit took place during a huge celebration of Chinese culture marking UAE-China Week.
The UAE had already been in celebratory mood ahead of Mr Xi's arrival, with iconic buildings such as the Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab in Dubai and Adnoc’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi lit up in China's colours.
Rolling coverage of the highly anticipated visit was beamed to millions of people both in China and throughout the Middle East.
China and the UAE agree comprehensive strategic partnership
China and the UAE forged even closer links between the two countries during the landmark state visit after finalising a ten-point agreement on a range of issues, from international affairs to the economy and trade and renewable energy.
1. Politics: The two countries agreed to support each other on issues of security and to work together on regional and international challenges. The nations also confirmed that the number of high-level state visits between China and the UAE will increase.
2. Economy: The UAE offers its full support to China's Belt and Road Initiative, which will combine a land 'economic belt" and a "maritime silk road" that will link China with the Arabian Gulf as well as Southeast, South and Central China, North Africa and, eventually, Europe.
3. Business and innovation: The two nations are committed to exploring new partnerships in sectors such as Artificial Intelligence, energy, the aviation and transport industries and have vowed to build economic co-operation through the UAE-China Business Committee.
4. Education, science and technology: The Partnership Programme between Arab countries in Science and Technology will encourage young Emirati scientists to conduct research in China, while the nations will work together on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, renewable energy and space projects.
5. Renewable energy and water: The two countries will partner to develop renewable energy schemes and work to reduce climate change. The nations have also reiterated their support for the Abu Dhabi-based International Renewable Energy Agency.
6. Oil and gas: The UAE and China will work in partnership in the crude oil trade and the exploration and development of oil and natural gas resources.
7. Military and law enforcement and security fields: Joint training will take place between the Chinese and UAE armed forces, while the two nations will step up efforts to combat terrorism and organised crime.
8. Culture and humanitarian issues: Joint cultural projects will be developed and partnerships will be cultivated on the preservation of heritage, contemporary art and tourism.
9. Movement between countries: China and the UAE made clear their intent to encourage travel between the countries through a wide-ranging visa waiver agreement.
10. Implementing the strategic partnership: The Intergovernmental Co-operation Committee, established last year, will be used to ensure the objectives of the partnership are implemented.
