On the occasion of the 71ts National Day of the People's Republic of China on October 1, Ali Obaid Ali Al Dhaheri, UAE Ambassador to China, extended congratulatory wishes to the friendly nation. He further lauded the bilateral ties between the two countries which have helped in boosting their comprehensive strategic partnership across economic, political, cultural and diplomatic areas.

Congratulating the Chinese leadership and people on the occasion of their 71st National Day, Al Dhaheri also hailed the local and international achievements of the country through this time.

In addition, he congratulated the Chinese leadership and people for achieving success in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, asserting that the global health crisis provided an opportunity to the two countries and their citizens to reinforce their friendship and partnership. Notedly, the UAE was among the first countries globally to extend support to the citizens of China since the virus outbreak in Wuhan.

"Different forms of material and moral support were provided to China by the UAE’s leadership and people, which was also an opportunity to enhance the cooperation between the two countries to include scientific research in the area of health, especially with regards to the clinical coronavirus vaccine trials," Al Dhaheri added.

Significantly, the UAE became one of the first countries to launch Phase III clinical trials of a COVID-19 vaccine in collaboration with Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinopharm. Al Dhaheri noted that the results of the trial have been very promising, following which the vaccine was officially approved by China for emergency use and for their frontline staff members.

The Ambassador further highlighted that the UAE and China have attained bilateral cooperation in many key sectors, adding that it reflects the special nature of their historic relationship whose foundations were laid during the 1990 visit of late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to China.

Since then, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has led various initiatives to enhance the ties between the two countries with several mutual official visits that resulted in the signing of numerous agreements and Memoranda of Understanding.

Historic relations between the UAE and China date back to December 3, 1971, two days after the establishment of the country, when the late Sheikh Zayed sent a cable to the then head of the Chinese Government, Zhou Enlai. This friendship has developed over time with solid foundations of cooperation.

In 2018, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the UAE - marking the first official visit of a Chinese President in the country in 30 years. The occasion became a turning point for the bilateral relations between the UAE and China with the beginning of a new era of strategic partnership. Later in 2019, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed paid a visit to China upon an invitation from President Xi.

Under the framework of their strategic partnership agreement signed on November 17, 2012, relations between the UAE and China have progressed with coordination and cooperation on various bilateral and regional levels across key areas of mutual interest.

Al Dhaheri also stressed that the economic cooperation between the two nations has emerged as a crucial cornerstone describing their strategic partnership. The UAE has become a key part of the economic silk route that links markets which represent 40 percent of the global GDP. In 2019, the UAE and China engaged in trading worth US$48.67 billion, which is essentially a 6 percent increase per annum. At the same time, around 4,200 Chinese companies, more than 2,500 trademarks, and 356 commercial agencies are working in the UAE and contributing to the growth of the country. Furthermore, between 2018 and 2019, Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI) in the UAE were valued at $6.44 billion.

Al Dhaheri noted that friendly relations between the two countries contributed to a remarkable increase in the number of Chinese tourists visiting the UAE in recent years. In the past two years, nearly one million Chinese tourists visited Dubai every year. There are an estimated 270,000 Chinese residents living in the UAE who have been wholeheartedly welcomed in the country. 

WAM