UAE-China relations move to higher level

14/12/2015

ABU DHABI, 14th December, 2015 (WAM) -- Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s official visit to China at the invitation of President Xi Jinping marks a further strengthening of the already-robust relations between the two nations, commented a UAE daily.

H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, has also mentioned that the UAE, as a vital political, economic, and cultural hub between East and West, and the gateway to the Middle East, considers its relations with the People’s Republic of China to be crucial in bringing stability and development in the region and beyond.

"From countering extremism to overcoming regional political instability, the two countries hope to develop shared strategic and diplomatic approaches to issues which require fresh thinking, open ideas and revived global leadership," said The Gulf Today in an editorial on Monday.

"At present, there are more than 200,000 Chinese in the UAE, the largest Chinese community in the Middle East and Northern African Region. Highlighting the fact that the people from both the nations have similar dreams of better education, better jobs, more reliable social security, and better health care, Chinese Ambassador to the UAE, Chang Hua, has also mentioned that over many years, China and the UAE have cooperated in such areas as politics, economy and trade, civil aviation, public health and sports.

"According to available figures, bilateral trade volume was less than $100 million at the time of establishment of diplomatic ties; the figure in 1995 exceeded $1 billion, and by 2005 had exceeded $10 billion. In just two more years, the figure touched almost $20 billion.

"Despite the global financial crisis, bilateral trade volume has maintained good momentum in development, with the figure exceeding $30 billion in 2011 and $40 billion in 2012. In 2014, bilateral trade volume stood at $54.8 billion, hitting a new high.

"The UAE has been China’s second largest trading partner and the biggest export market in the Middle East and Northern African Region for several years. As of the end of 2014, the UAE has had a direct investment stock of $1.15 billion in China with $6.19 million newly added in the first nine months of this year.

The Sharjah-based daily concluded by quoting Sheikh Abdullah as saying that by embracing the shared pasts, and looking to the future for new opportunities, the UAE and China can lay the platform of not only a mutually beneficial bilateral relationship, but also one that will ensure peace, security, and prosperity for the wider region.

WAM/Esraa