China's President Xi Jinping arrives in Abu Dhabi for a 'new phase of co-operation'

Mr Xi was welcomed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed

Xi Jinping, President of China, and his wife Peng Liyuan are presented with flowers on his arrival at the Presidential Airport. Seen with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed. Saif Al Muhairi / Government of Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed wait for the arrival of China president Xi Jinping. Government of Dubai Media Office

Xi Jinping, President of China, and his wife Peng Liyuan are presented with flowers on his arrival at the Presidential Airport. Seen with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed. Saif Al Muhairi / Government of Dubai Media Office ---

China's Xi Jinping and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid walk together after the Chinese delegation arrived in Abu Dhabi. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed accompanies Mrs Peng. Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid talks to Peng Liyuan while Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed is in conversation with Xi Jinping. Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

A wider view of the reception at the Presidential airport. Government of Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed receives Xi Jinping, President of China at the Presidential Airport. Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

The delegation stands for the national anthems. Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Members of the UAE Armed Forces Honour Guard stand to attention. Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Members of the UAE Armed Forces Honour Guard stand to attention. Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Members of the UAE Armed Forces Honour Guard stand to attention. Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - July 19, 2018: Members of the UAE Armed Forces Honour Guard, stand at attention, during a reception held at the Presidential Airport. ( Saeed Al Neyadi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi ) ---

Dr Sultan Al Jaber greets President Xi Jinping. Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Saif bin Zayed greets President Xi Jinping. Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Mohamed Al Bowardi, UAE Minister of State for Defence Affairs, greets President Xi Jinping.

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed greets President Xi Jinping. Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Mohamed Al Gergawi, greets President Xi Jinping Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Zaki Nusseibeh greets President Xi Jinping Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Wang Yi, Foreign Minister of China, second right, and other members of the Chinese delegation. Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed and Dr Amal Al Qubaisi. Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Right to left: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed and Sheikh Saif bin Zayed. Government of Dubai Media Office.

Left to right: Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Jaber Al Suwaidi and Ali Obaid Ali Al Dhaheri. Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Left to right: Ali Al Shamsi, Maj Gen Essa Al Mazrouei, Khaldoon Al Mubarak. Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Left to right: Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnoon, Mohamed Al Gergawi and Ahmed Al Zaabi. Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed greets President Xi Jinping. Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Jaber Al Suwaidi greets President Xi Jinping Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Mohamed Al Mazrouei greets President Xi Jinping. Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid greets a member of the Chinese delegation. Government of Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid greets Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi. Government of Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid greets a member of the Chinese delegation. Government of Dubai Media Office

Khaldoon Al Mubarak greets Presient Xi Jinping. Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Left to right: Mohamed Al Bowardi, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, and Zaki Nusseibeh. Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed greets a member of the Chinese delegation. Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

China's President Xi Jinping received a royal welcome as he arrived in Abu Dhabi to begin an historic three-day state visit.

Mr Xi was met at the Presidential Airport by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

The delegation were due to attend a welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace later.

The Chinese national anthem was played at the airport and 21 artillery rounds were fired as part of the greeting, the state new agency Wam reported.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed said the visit will help usher in a "new phase of co-operation" between the two nations.

The UAE dispatched fighter jets to escort Mr Xi’s plane as soon as it entered the country’s airspace, Chinese state television station CGTN reported.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed tweeted: "We are delighted with the Chinese President's visit to the UAE. By all standards, the visit is historic and promises a new phase in the co-operation between the two countries which encompasses all areas. The visit will be rewarding as it will bring prosperity and development to citizens of both countries."

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said that the UAE accounts for about a quarter of Arab Trade with China, a figure of close to Dh200 billion last year, while the UAE recorded more than one million Chinese visitors in 2017.

He said he looks forward to doubling both figures in the future.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said that there is a "mutual understanding" between the UAE and China on a number of regional and international issues.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid tweeted: "The UAE is the first region in the Gulf to build strategic relations with China. There exists a mutual understanding between the UAE and China on a number of regional and international affairs and we strive to consolidate cultural, public and humanitarian relations in addition to the existing strong political and economics relations."

Mr Xi’s visit is his first trip abroad since being re-elected in March and comes as both nations draw on their strengthening ties across commerce, culture, tourism and politics.

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The visit coincides with a celebration of Chinese culture during UAE-China Week.

A key UAE-China Economic Forum is also expected to take place on Friday.

The UAE had already been in celebratory mood ahead of Mr Xi's arrival, with iconic buildings such as the Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab in Dubai and  Adnoc’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi lit up in China's colours.

Rolling coverage of the highly anticipated visit is being beamed to millions of people both in China and throughout the Middle East.

Writing in The National on Wednesday, Mr Xi reflected that the friendship between both countries had developed over thousands of years and had now progressed to a crucial, strategic partnership.

“Our two countries are geographically far apart and different in national conditions," he said. "But we are both proud to have enterprising and creative people who never give up on their dreams."