Emirates airline aims to add new destinations in China over the next year, as the UAE and the world's second-largest economy aim to deepen trade and investment ties in sectors from renewables to health care.
The countries are focusing on key sectors including green energy, digital economy, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, health care and advanced manufacturing, in addition to the more traditional industries of energy and infrastructure, company executives and government officials said at the UAE-China Business Forum on Thursday.
To help with the movement of people and goods, the Dubai-based airline plans to increase flight frequencies and open new routes in China, Nabil Sultan, executive vice president of passenger sales and country management at Emirates, said during a panel discussion at the forum.
The number and timing of the new routes to China will depend on bilateral negotiations between the two countries, Mr Sultan told The National on the sidelines of the event. Emirates is currently operating to the full extent of its air traffic rights, he said.
"We'll be able to get something in the pipeline over the next year ... we reckon hopefully in the first quarter of next year, where we might see some addition both in terms of frequency and new destinations," Mr Sultan said.
Emirates currently flies to three destinations in China from Dubai. It operates 14 flights each to Shanghai and Beijing every week, and a daily flight to the port city of Guangzhou.
"The Chinese market is massive and it's really opening up in a big way," Mr Sultan said, referencing the Chinese government's move to provide visas for more nationalities, including visitors from Europe, that will further stimulate inbound tourism.
Beijing has also doubled the number of countries for which Chinese travellers can obtain visas to 130 this year, compared with only 60 last year.
"There is a huge change in the demographic and dynamics of how the Chinese market is operating," Mr Sultan said. "We've seen more and more younger generations who have the purchasing power to go on holidays, they are tech-savvy, they speak English and they're international travellers. So we're going to see a lot of these younger generations embarking on these journeys."
Emirates last year carried more than a million passengers between Dubai and China, including holidaymakers, business travellers and students, the executive said.
"The Chinese market is probably at the brink of real expansion and we believe adding capacity there is the right way forward. As bilateral agreements come to flourish, we will come to more and more capacity going into China," Mr Sultan said.
Emirates operates about 35 flights into China each week, using its Boeing 777 wide-bodies, and is assessing the potential for an upgrade to the bigger Airbus A380 double-decker. "All of that is under the microscope now," he said.
In terms of the movement of goods from China, Emirates sees big opportunities for air freight, with Dubai as a re-export hub for products heading onwards to other destinations in the region and beyond.
"We're positioned perfectly geographically to act like an extending arm for Chinese logistics investors. The biggest challenge is that all the capacity out of China is completely chock-a-block. There are huge constraints on capacity due to the current geopolitical scene and the Red Sea challenges in maritime industry," he said.
Those challenges in the Red Sea mean air freight is a faster solution to transport goods, he added.
Boost to UAE-China ties
During a speech at the forum late on Thursday, Abdulla bin Touq, UAE Minister of Economy, urged Chinese companies to “benefit from the abundance of economic opportunities that the UAE’s business environment enjoys”.
He called on Chinese companies to expand their presence across various sectors, including tourism, aviation, the circular economy, FinTech, e-commerce, infrastructure, artificial intelligence, health care, smart transportation and sustainable manufacturing.
The total number of Chinese businesses operating in UAE markets has reached about 15,500, he said.
Meanwhile, the number of Chinese tourists visiting the UAE reached 1.2 million in 2023, an increase of 213 per cent from 2022, he added. There are currently 44 flights operated by the UAE’s national carriers connecting the two countries every week.
This comes as the number of Chinese companies entering the Dubai market is on the rise. In the first eight months of this year, 1,004 new Chinese companies registered with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, an increase of 20 per cent year-on-year. That takes the total number of active Chinese members to 5,480 during the period, Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, chairman of Dubai Chambers, told The National on the sidelines of the forum.
The number of new Chinese companies registered with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce is expected to grow 30 per cent year-on-year to reach about 6,000 by the end of 2024, Mr Al Ghurair said.
Dubai International Chambers, which attracts foreign investment into the UAE and assists domestic companies in overseas expansion, has offices in Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong, the most it has in another country.
The forum was attended by Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, while the visiting delegation was led by Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final:
First leg: Liverpool 5 Roma 2
Second leg: Wednesday, May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
TV: BeIN Sports, 10.45pm (UAE)
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Three ways to get a gratitude glow
By committing to at least one of these daily, you can bring more gratitude into your life, says Ong.
- During your morning skincare routine, name five things you are thankful for about yourself.
- As you finish your skincare routine, look yourself in the eye and speak an affirmation, such as: “I am grateful for every part of me, including my ability to take care of my skin.”
- In the evening, take some deep breaths, notice how your skin feels, and listen for what your skin is grateful for.
The Lowdown
Kesari
Rating: 2.5/5 stars
Produced by: Dharma Productions, Azure Entertainment
Directed by: Anubhav Singh
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Parineeti Chopra
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The biog
Prefers vegetables and fish to meat and would choose salad over pizza
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France is her favourite country to visit
Has written books and manuals on women’s education, first aid and health for the family
Family: Husband, three sons and a daughter
Fathiya Nadhari's instructions to her children was to give back to the country
The children worked as young volunteers in social, education and health campaigns
Her motto is to never stop working for the country
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Pari
Produced by: Clean Slate Films (Anushka Sharma, Karnesh Sharma) & KriArj Entertainment
Director: Prosit Roy
Starring: Anushka Sharma, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Ritabhari Chakraborty, Rajat Kapoor, Mansi Multani
Three stars
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh1,470,000 (est)
Engine 6.9-litre twin-turbo W12
Gearbox eight-speed automatic
Power 626bhp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 900Nm @ 1,350rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.0L / 100km
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
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The Energy Research Centre
Founded 50 years ago as a nuclear research institute, scientists at the centre believed nuclear would be the “solution for everything”.
Although they still do, they discovered in 1955 that the Netherlands had a lot of natural gas. “We still had the idea that, by 2000, it would all be nuclear,” said Harm Jeeninga, director of business and programme development at the centre.
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The energy centre’s research focuses on biomass, energy efficiency, the environment, wind and solar, as well as energy engineering and socio-economic research.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
MATCH INFO
Barcelona 2
Suarez (10'), Messi (52')
Real Madrid 2
Ronaldo (14'), Bale (72')
UAE cricketers abroad
Sid Jhurani is not the first cricketer from the UAE to go to the UK to try his luck.
Rameez Shahzad Played alongside Ben Stokes and Liam Plunkett in Durham while he was studying there. He also played club cricket as an overseas professional, but his time in the UK stunted his UAE career. The batsman went a decade without playing for the national team.
Yodhin Punja The seam bowler was named in the UAE’s extended World Cup squad in 2015 despite being just 15 at the time. He made his senior UAE debut aged 16, and subsequently took up a scholarship at Claremont High School in the south of England.
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UAE v Zimbabwe A
Results
Match 1 – UAE won by 4 wickets
Match 2 – UAE won by 5 wickets
Match 3 – UAE won by 25 runs
Match 4 – UAE won by 77 runs
Fixture
Match 5, Saturday, 9.30am start, ICC Academy, Dubai
Afghanistan fixtures
- v Australia, today
- v Sri Lanka, Tuesday
- v New Zealand, Saturday,
- v South Africa, June 15
- v England, June 18
- v India, June 22
- v Bangladesh, June 24
- v Pakistan, June 29
- v West Indies, July 4
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AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
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Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Bio:
Favourite Quote: Prophet Mohammad's quotes There is reward for kindness to every living thing and A good man treats women with honour
Favourite Hobby: Serving poor people
Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite food: Fish and vegetables
Favourite place to visit: London
THREE
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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Results
Catchweight 60kg: Mohammed Al Katheeri (UAE) beat Mostafa El Hamy (EGY) TKO round 3
Light Heavyweight: Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) no contest Kevin Oumar (COM) Unintentional knee by Oumer
Catchweight 73kg: Yazid Chouchane (ALG) beat Ahmad Al Boussairy (KUW) Unanimous decision
Featherweight: Faris Khaleel Asha (JOR) beat Yousef Al Housani (UAE) TKO in round 2 through foot injury
Welterweight: Omar Hussein (JOR) beat Yassin Najid (MAR); Split decision
Middleweight: Yousri Belgaroui (TUN) beat Sallah Eddine Dekhissi (MAR); Round-1 TKO
Lightweight: Abdullah Mohammed Ali Musalim (UAE) beat Medhat Hussein (EGY); Triangle choke submission
Welterweight: Abdulla Al Bousheiri (KUW) beat Sofiane Oudina (ALG); Triangle choke Round-1
Lightweight: Mohammad Yahya (UAE) beat Saleem Al Bakri (JOR); Unanimous decision
Bantamweight: Ali Taleb (IRQ) beat Nawras Abzakh (JOR); TKO round-2
Catchweight 63kg: Rany Saadeh (PAL) beat Abdel Ali Hariri (MAR); Unanimous decision
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
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- Financial well-being incentives
UAE v Zimbabwe A, 50 over series
Fixtures
Thursday, Nov 9 - 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai
Saturday, Nov 11 – 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai
Monday, Nov 13 – 2pm, Dubai International Stadium
Thursday, Nov 16 – 2pm, ICC Academy, Dubai
Saturday, Nov 18 – 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Ad Astra
Director: James Gray
Stars: Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones
Five out of five stars
