BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping said China is willing to promote Belt and Road cooperation with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) while holding talks with President of the UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Beijing on Thursday.
President Xi noted that the UAE is an important comprehensive strategic partner of China. In recent years, China-UAE relations have maintained a sound momentum of development, setting a good example for China-Arab state relations in the new era.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the UAE, Xi said, adding that it is an important juncture for China-UAE relations to build on past achievements and forge ahead.
He said China stands ready to work with the UAE to continue to grasp the general direction of bilateral relations from a strategic height and a long-term perspective and ensure the vigorous development of the comprehensive strategic partnership.
China is willing to consolidate cooperation in trade, energy and infrastructure and expand cooperation in high-tech areas such as information technology, artificial intelligence, the digital economy and new energy, he said.
China will continue to support the “Hundred Schools Project” of Chinese language education in the UAE, strengthen people-to-people exchanges and promote friendship between the two nations, he said.
Xi added China supports Middle East countries to pursue a road of peace and reconciliation and resolve disputes through dialogue.
Calling China his second home, Sheikh Mohamed said the UAE places China as a top priority in its diplomacy, regards China as a long-term and reliable strategic partner, and is willing to further deepen and expand cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, investment, energy, science and technology, education and people-to-people exchanges.
The UAE government firmly adheres to the one-China policy and supports China’s efforts to realize national reunification, he said, pledging to continue to actively participate in Belt and Road cooperation and work closely with the Chinese side in multilateral communication and collaboration to make positive efforts to promote peace, development and prosperity in the region and the world.
The two sides also exchanged views on the Palestine-Israel conflict. Xi emphasized that the top priority is a comprehensive ceasefire and ease of the humanitarian crisis.
China and the UAE share the same position on the Palestinian issue and should work together to promote a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the issue, he added.
After the talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents on investment, Belt and Road cooperation, science and technology, peaceful use of nuclear energy, Chinese language education, culture and tourism.
