China's UAE visit expected to be a win-win situation

Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed to sign agreements to boost trade during visit.

10 December 2015

"Results oriented" and "meaningful for our relationship" is how Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State, described the upcoming visit of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces to China.

During his visit from December 13 to 15, Shaikh Mohammed is looking at signing several agreements on security in the region, renewable energy, education, economic cooperation and financial investments.

"The relationship between China and the UAE are of strategic importance. They are extremely high on our agenda from the political and economic point of view," stressed Dr Al Jaber.

While he could not reveal details of the agreements the UAE is looking to sign with China during the visit, Dr. Al Jaber did mention the bilateral agreements that will be signed with the aim of boosting the existing trade figures.

Since the diplomatic relationship was formed between the two countries, bilateral trade grew from $63 million in 1984 to $54.8 billion in 2015, expecting to reach $60 billion by the end of the year.

"There was a 16 per cent increase in trade in the past six years," added Dr Al Jaber.

In fact, the UAE is the largest Middle Eastern market for Chinese products.

"Going forward from these figures, we are looking to establishing a new platform that will help enhance our relationship in all areas," said Dr Al Jaber.

The UAE recently joined the Asian Investment Infrastructure Bank, which is focused on supporting infrastructure construction in the Asia-Pacific region, and the future cooperation the country is looking to have with China will have a direct impact on trade and economy across Asia.

"Our deeper involvement with China will result in developments in renewable energy, technology, aerospace, aviation and financial investments. It is a win-win platform for both countries," said Dr Al Jaber.

According to him, the UAE's main aim during the visit is to elevate the economic agenda and tackle global challenges such as instability in the region, energy access and climate change.

When it comes to regional security, China and the UAE already have a matching point of view.

"Our position in the UAE with regards to political matters is matched by the Chinese position; there is a very clear understanding between us on these matters,"

This will be Shaikh Mohammed's third official visit to China, after 2009 and 2012. Previously, the relations between the two countries also got a boost after Shaikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan's visit to China in 1990.