The ongoing UAE-China Economic Forum in Beijing comes as Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince visits China. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is China's most important Arab trading partner and currently accounts for around 26 percent of China's total trade with the region. Companies from both countries are looking to build new ties and strengthen existing ones.

More than 500 company representatives and government officials from China and the UAE gathered in Beijing to explore opportunities for sustainable partnerships and investment.

Close to 20 Chinese companies, including Bank of China, and Chinese car-hailing company DIDI, signed memoranda of understanding with their UAE partners.

"The way we treat each other, the way we respect each other is deeply rooted in all of us, and with that we can build an amazing relationship and businesses," said the founder and chairman of Emmar Properties Mohamed Alabbar during his forum speech.

For a fifth straight year, China has been the UAE's top non-oil trading partner.

The volume of trade between both countries surpassed 43 billion U.S. dollars in 2018.

China's investment in the Middle East country jumped by a massive 276 percent between 2013 and 2017.

"Last year alone, we had 150 Chinese companies coming, so we witnessed large interest coming from China. Chinese investors set up a hub. That's why we are here to explore, in Beijing, to shed more light on what we can give these investors to come to join the free zones," said Ahmad Numan, Co-Director of Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone.

Over the last few decades, the volume and value of Chinese investment in the UAE has increased considerably, in line with China's growing economic influence in the Gulf country. Previously, most of China’s interest there was in infrastructure and property investment while now they are exploring other uncharted areas.

ICECO is a Chinese company making car refrigeration units. Its global heavy truck assembly rate has reached 60 percent. Now they are eyeing the private car market in the Middle East.

"We have high hopes for the Middle East market because of its location, natural conditions and car culture, which are in line with the use of in-car refrigerators. The UAE is also a bridgehead in the Middle East, with a strong driving role. Trade positions in the Middle East are also strong. We hope that through continuous cooperation in the future, we can bring better products to consumers in the UAE," said Hu Xiangqian, overseas general manager of ICECO.

Officials also say that the UAE government is welcoming more and more Chinese businesses and companies to participate in, and take advantage of, the economic activities in the country.