Beijing, June 25th—The International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC) and the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MOIAT) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) held here today an exchange activity. The event was co-chaired by Liu Jianchao, Minister of the IDCPC, and Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of the MOIAT. Sima Hong, Vice Mayor of Beijing, Chen Jie, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee and Vice Mayor, Li Yun, Vice Governor of Guangdong Province, Qin Weizhong, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee and Mayor of Shenzhen, Jiang Xiaojuan, former Deputy Secretary-General of the State Council, Jin Xin, Assistant-minister of the IDCPC, Jian Fangning, Deputy Director-General of the Department of West Asian and North African Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pan Jiang, Director of the Department of International Cooperation of the National Development and Reform Commission, Wei Wei, Director of the Department of Science and Technology of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, UAE Ambassador to China, and senior executives of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, were present.  

Liu noted that the world and the Middle East are undergoing many changes, but the intention of China and the UAE to engage in friendly exchanges and sincere cooperation remains unchanged. Carrying fundamental importance in the following 100 years, China-UAE relations are a model of state-to-state relations, and have some distinctive characteristics. First, the two heads of state have steered the course and enhanced the strategic nature of China-UAE relations. Second, the fruitful cooperation in pioneering and innovative fields highlights the forward-looking nature of China-UAE cooperation. The trade volume between China and UAE exceeded 100 billion US dollars last year, indicating broad prospects for innovative cooperation in investment, new energy, artificial intelligence, and digital economy between the two countries. Third, bilateral cooperation has played a demonstrative role for cooperation between China and Arab countries as well as cooperation between China and Arab states of the Gulf. China is willing to work with the UAE to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen the integration of development strategies, promote cooperation such as the Belt and Road cooperation, and expand people-to-people, cultural and sub-national exchanges.  

Sultan Al Jaber thanked the IDCPC for organizing the exchange activity for China and the UAE, saying that he was pleased to have the opportunity to have in-depth exchanges with the responsible officials of Chinese provinces, cities and relevant ministries. He said, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan cherishes the deep friendship with President Xi Jinping, while the UAE cherishes the friendly relations with China, adding that China is the priority of the UAE's diplomacy. The UAE is stepping up efforts to implement the important consensus reached between President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and President Xi Jinping during the former's visit to China in May last year, and is committed to elevating UAE-China relations to a new level. China, with a super-large market and strong purchasing power, is the UAE's largest trading partner. The UAE is willing to consolidate cooperation with China in traditional fields such as trade and energy, while expanding cooperation in areas such as new energy, advanced manufacturing, and high technology, and expanding sub-national exchanges. Calling enterprises an important bridge for mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the UAE, he said more Chinese companies are welcome to invest and start businesses in the UAE. The UAE and China have extensive common interests. The UAE is full of confidence in China's economic development prospects and China's future, and believes that China's development has injected stability and certainty into the world. Faced with the turbulent situation in the Middle East, the UAE advocates resolving conflicts through dialogue and negotiation, appreciates China's just position on relevant issues, and expects China to continue to play an important role in maintaining regional peace and stability.  

Jiang Xiaojuan introduced the current economic situation in China, saying that China is further deepening reform in an all-round way and expanding high-level opening up, and has the determination and confidence to maintain steady economic growth. It is willing to share development opportunities with countries around the world, including the UAE. Sima Hong said that Beijing has a broad market, rich scientific and technological resources, a complete financial system, and an efficient energy system. It is willing to strengthen sub-national exchanges with the UAE, deepen cooperation in energy technology and green and low-carbon development, and strengthen mutual learning of experience in the construction of free trade zones. Chen Jie said that Shanghai is accelerating the construction of an international economic center, financial center, trade center, shipping center, and scientific and technological innovation center, and is willing to expand exchanges and cooperation in economy, trade, green transformation, finance, and culture with the UAE. 

Li Yun said that the UAE is Guangdong's largest trading partner in the Middle East in terms of import and export volume, and also the leading source of investment from the region. Guangdong is willing to further deepen cooperation with the UAE in trade, finance, petrochemicals, high technology, new energy, and advanced manufacturing. Qin Weizhong expressed that Shenzhen is China's special economic zone, a gateway and hub for opening up to the outside world, and a national innovation city. It is also a city featuring reform and opening up, scientific and technological innovation, and green and low-carbon development. It is ready to deepen cooperation with the UAE in such areas as high technology, emerging industries, new energy, finance, and trade. 

Relevant officials from various Chinese departments introduced China's policy toward the UAE and position on the Middle East issue in light of their respective functions, and expressed their willingness to provide support and convenience for China-UAE cooperation in various fields.