China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Friday decided to upgrade their bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
The decision was made as visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
By lifting their ties, China and the UAE will strengthen their bilateral in-depth cooperation in various fields, and promote continuous development of bilateral ties on higher levels, in broader areas and at greater depths.
Xi expressed his gratefulness to the UAE for its grand welcome of his visit, which shows the friendliness of the UAE toward the Chinese people, as well as the great importance it attaches to its ties with China.
Xi recalled his meeting with the Crown Prince in Beijing in 2015 when the two sides reached many important consensuses on promoting bilateral friendly cooperation, saying that bilateral relations have since entered a new stage of development that is comprehensive, fast and in-depth.
China-UAE cooperation has a bright prospect and great potentials, stressed the Chinese leader.
The establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership will be conducive to deepening strategic mutual trust and lifting the level of mutually beneficial cooperation, Xi said.
He said he is confident that China and the UAE can become good friends and good partners who learn from and help each other, and achieve common development and prosperity.
The Chinese president conveyed his warm regards to UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and wished him an early recovery.
Xi called on the two countries to translate the China-UAE comprehensive strategic partnership into concrete achievements, cement political mutual trust, continue to take care of each other’s core interests and major concerns, and support each other’s pursuit of development path that suits themselves.
China and the UAE, Xi said, are natural partners for jointly building the Belt and Road. China regards the UAE as a key pivot in implementing the Belt and Road Initiative and appreciates the Crown Prince’s vision of revitalizing the ancient Silk Road.
The two sides need to create stronger links between their development strategies, strengthen communications on industrial policies and plan and manage well the flagship projects within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, so as to boost the economic development of the Middle East region and the Gulf region.
China is willing to work with the UAE to build an all-round and all dimensional energy cooperation pattern, deepen investment and financial cooperation, and promote cooperation in the area of innovation, Xi said.
He also urged the two countries to strengthen security cooperation and fight against all forms of terrorism.