President Sheikh Mohamed on Thursday held talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at Abu Dhabi's Qasr Al Watan, aiming to further enhance ties.
They explored efforts to strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership in place between their nations since 2018.
Sheikh Mohamed stressed the importance of building on a 40-year alliance to support the development of the countries.
“I was pleased to meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Abu Dhabi today to discuss joint efforts to further enhance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between our countries,” Sheikh Mohamed wrote on social media. “The UAE is committed to building upon 40 years of deep-rooted co-operation with China to achieve enduring growth, development, and prosperity for our peoples.”
Sheikh Mohamed shared the social media message in Chinese, in a show of respect and friendship for one of the UAE's key partners on the global stage. The President and Mr Li reviewed the progress of bilateral co-operation across various sectors, including trade, investment, renewable energy and sustainability, as well as education and culture, state news agency Wam reported.
Sheikh Mohamed conveyed his appreciation of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s efforts towards strengthening ties, following his visit to China in May and highlighted the UAE's keenness to remain a strategic partner in the Belt and Road global infrastructure initiative.
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Li also discussed efforts aimed at achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and stressed the importance of working towards a comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution.
The Chinese Premier, who is on an official visit to the UAE, signed Qasr Al Watan’s VIP guest book, expressing his wishes for the UAE’s continued prosperity, and attended luncheon reception given by Sheikh Mohamed.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, hosted an official reception for the visiting delegation at Qasr Al Watan, during which the Chinese national anthem was played.
During a meeting at Zabeel Palace in Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed and Mr Li discussed the growing strategic partnership between the two countries and explored new avenues to expand ties. The talks also covered regional and international developments, especially in the Middle East, and highlighted the need for a comprehensive peace strategy.
In May, Sheikh Mohamed met Mr Xi in Beijing, during a two-day state visit.
He thanked Mr Xi for the warm reception received in China, and noted that relations between the countries go back further than the start of formal diplomatic relations in 1984, because China recognised the UAE’s nationhood days after its establishment in 1971.
Sheikh Mohamed also reflected on a visit by UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, to China in 1990. Images from the trip showed Sheikh Zayed visiting the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City in Beijing.
Results
4.30pm Jebel Jais – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (Turf) 1,000m; Winner: MM Al Balqaa, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Qaiss Aboud (trainer)
5pm: Jabel Faya – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (T) 1,000m; Winner: AF Rasam, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
5.30pm: Al Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Mukhrej, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: The President’s Cup Prep – Conditions (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Mujeeb, Richard Mullen, Salem Al Ketbi
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club – Prestige (PA) Dh125,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Antonio Fresu, Abubakar Daud
7pm: Al Ruwais – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Pat Dobbs, Ibrahim Aseel
7.30pm: Jebel Hafeet – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Nibraas, Richard Mullen, Nicholas Bachalard
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
A new relationship with the old country
Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates
The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.
ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.
ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.
DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.
Signed
Geoffrey Arthur Sheikh Zayed
