President Sheikh Mohamed meets Chinese Premier in Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Mohamed shares social media message in Chinese after talks with Li Qiang on further boosting relations

President Sheikh Mohamed on Thursday held talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at Abu Dhabi's Qasr Al Watan, aiming to further enhance ties.

They explored efforts to strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership in place between their nations since 2018.

Sheikh Mohamed stressed the importance of building on a 40-year alliance to support the development of the countries.

“I was pleased to meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Abu Dhabi today to discuss joint efforts to further enhance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between our countries,” Sheikh Mohamed wrote on social media. “The UAE is committed to building upon 40 years of deep-rooted co-operation with China to achieve enduring growth, development, and prosperity for our peoples.”

Sheikh Mohamed shared the social media message in Chinese, in a show of respect and friendship for one of the UAE's key partners on the global stage. The President and Mr Li reviewed the progress of bilateral co-operation across various sectors, including trade, investment, renewable energy and sustainability, as well as education and culture, state news agency Wam reported.

Sheikh Mohamed conveyed his appreciation of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s efforts towards strengthening ties, following his visit to China in May and highlighted the UAE's keenness to remain a strategic partner in the Belt and Road global infrastructure initiative.

Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Li also discussed efforts aimed at achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and stressed the importance of working towards a comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution.

The Chinese Premier, who is on an official visit to the UAE, signed Qasr Al Watan’s VIP guest book, expressing his wishes for the UAE’s continued prosperity, and attended luncheon reception given by Sheikh Mohamed.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, hosted an official reception for the visiting delegation at Qasr Al Watan, during which the Chinese national anthem was played.

During a meeting at Zabeel Palace in Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed and Mr Li discussed the growing strategic partnership between the two countries and explored new avenues to expand ties. The talks also covered regional and international developments, especially in the Middle East, and highlighted the need for a comprehensive peace strategy.

In May, Sheikh Mohamed met Mr Xi in Beijing, during a two-day state visit.

He thanked Mr Xi for the warm reception received in China, and noted that relations between the countries go back further than the start of formal diplomatic relations in 1984, because China recognised the UAE’s nationhood days after its establishment in 1971.

Sheikh Mohamed also reflected on a visit by UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, to China in 1990. Images from the trip showed Sheikh Zayed visiting the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City in Beijing.