In a significant move to bolster economic ties, Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Thursday in Abu Dhabi. The leaders discussed accelerating negotiations for the China-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) free trade agreement, emphasizing the mutual benefits of enhanced cooperation.
Premier Li expressed China’s willingness to collaborate with the UAE and other GCC countries to expedite the completion of the free trade agreement. “China is eager to further expand the scale of bilateral trade with the UAE,” said Premier Li. He highlighted opportunities for cooperation in new energy, electric vehicles, high-end manufacturing, biomedicine, and the digital economy. “We aim to jointly explore and invest in emerging and future industries, cultivating new economic growth points,” he added.
President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to the one-China principle and its desire to be a reliable cooperative partner of China. “The UAE is committed to strengthening strategic partnerships in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation,” said the president. He emphasized the importance of the bilateral relationship and expressed confidence in the potential for future collaboration across various sectors.
The meeting marks a pivotal moment in China-UAE relations, signaling a shared commitment to deepen economic ties and promote regional prosperity. The successful completion of the China-GCC free trade agreement is expected to further enhance trade and investment flows between China and Gulf countries, fostering economic growth and development in the region.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
