Arab-China comprehensive strategic partnership is a model of inter-state relations - Interview with UAE Ambassador to China Hussein Hammadi

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, December 5th: The comprehensive strategic partnership between the UAE and China is a model of inter-state relations - an interview with the UAE Ambassador to China Hussein Hammadi

Xinhua News Agency reporters Cao Yi and Wang Jiaxuan

Hussein Hammadi, UAE Ambassador to China, said in an interview with Xinhua News Agency recently that the comprehensive strategic partnership between UAE and China is a model of inter-state relations, characterized by a high degree of mutual trust, all-round cooperation and a common concept in jointly addressing global challenges.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the UAE. Hammadi pointed out that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the cooperation between the two sides in the fields of economy and trade, tourism, culture, education and clean and renewable energy has continued to deepen. The two sides have signed a number of strategic cooperation agreements, and two-way investment has increased significantly. At the same time, the two countries have jointly held a series of exhibitions, forums and other activities, which fully demonstrate the broad development prospects of Arab-Chinese relations.

Hammadi said that economic and trade relations are one of the most active and fastest growing areas in the relationship between the two countries. China has maintained the status of the UAE's largest trading partner for many years, and the UAE is China's largest non-oil trading partner in the Middle East. It is also China's largest export market and major investment destination in the Middle East. The Arab side expects the bilateral trade volume to increase to 200 billion US dollars in 2030.

The UAE is one of the first countries to respond to the joint construction of the "Belt and Road Initiative". Through the joint construction of the "Belt and Road Initiative", the potential of cooperation between China and Afghanistan has been continuously released. Hammadi introduced that there are currently a large number of Chinese enterprises developing business in Afghanistan, and the Arab side has provided a good business environment for Chinese enterprises to develop and innovate. At the same time, the Arab side is committed to expanding investment in China for the benefit of the two peoples.

At the beginning of this year, the UAE joined the BRICS cooperation mechanism. "The UAE is committed to working with emerging economies around the world to jointly promote world peace, stability and prosperity. The UAE looks forward to providing innovative solutions under the multilateral cooperation mechanism and making positive contributions to global sustainable development," Hammadi said.

In recent years, China-Arab cooperation in the field of clean and renewable energy has shown strong development momentum. Hamadi believes that this highlights the shared vision of the two countries to promote green transformation and achieve sustainable development. Last year, the Abu Dhabi Al Dafra Photovoltaic Power Plant and the UAE Wind Power Demonstration Project, built by Chinese companies, were officially put into operation, helping to promote the UAE's energy transition and sustainable development.

People-to-people and cultural exchanges are an important pillar of China-Arab bilateral relations. Hammadi said that a series of educational and cultural exchange projects have not only deepened the relationship between the two countries, but also broadened the vision of people-to-people cooperation. Among them, the Zayed Arabic and Islamic Studies Center of Beijing Foreign Studies University is an important bridge to enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples. The "100 Schools Project" for teaching Chinese in the UAE and the local Confucius Institute have also played an important role in promoting Chinese language and Chinese culture. In the context of the increasing number of flights between the two countries, personnel exchanges between the two sides have become more convenient. The UAE has become an important tourist destination for Chinese tourists in the Middle East. Last year, more than one million Chinese tourists visited the UAE.

"The UAE and China are moving forward hand in hand towards a prosperous and sustainable future. The UAE will continue to build bridges of communication and cooperation with China to benefit the two peoples with practical cooperation results," Hammadi said.