UAE and China declare deep strategic partnership as state visit ends

The UAE and China agreed to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership on Saturday, issuing a joint declaration on the final day of President Xi Jinping's state visit.

A statement published by state news agency Wam said that mutual political trust has been enhanced, co-operation in areas of economy, trade and energy steadily expanded, and the friendship between the two countries strengthened.

It was issued as Chinese President Xi Jinping prepared to leave the UAE after a three-day state visit during which he was received by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi.

President Xi Jinping left the UAE on Saturday 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 the UAE, 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 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 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.

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 Russia’s Presudent Vladimir Putin, 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.

Talks between Mr Xi and the UAE leadership in Abu Dhabi on Friday focused on extending co-operation further in all areas, with partnerships key to cementing the relationship.

The meeting is said to have launched a new era of ties across many sectors.

The National