China stands ready to coordinate closely with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on international and regional affairs, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday during talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan over the phone.

The talks between the two leaders came about two weeks after Sheikh Mohamed assumed the presidency of the Middle Eastern country.

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President Xi said China is ready to strengthen coordination with the UAE on the Chinese-proposed Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, help maintain peace and stability in the Middle East and promote the development of the global governance system in a more just and reasonable direction so as to make positive contributions to the lasting peace and long-term development of the world.

China supports the UAE in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security and stability, and in independently exploring a development path that is in line with its national realities, he said.

Xi added the Chinese side is willing to work with the UAE side to firmly support each other's core interests, uphold the basic norms of international relations and safeguard the common interests of the vast developing countries.

China will boost cooperation with the UAE on COVID-19 prevention and control, improve the docking of the Belt and Road Initiative with the UAE development strategy and promote people-to-people exchanges, said Xi.

China is willing to work with the UAE side to consolidate friendship, solidify mutual trust and strength cooperation to continuously enrich the China-UAE comprehensive strategic partnership for the benefit of the two peoples, Xi added.

For his part, Sheikh Mohamed hailed the fruitful cooperation between the UAE and China on COVID-19 prevention and control and many other fields.

He said he cherished the deep and brotherly friendship with President Xi, and will do his utmost to promote the UAE's growing relations with China.

The UAE has stood, is standing and will continue to stand firmly with China, he said, adding that he believes both countries will usher in an even better future in their comprehensive strategic partnership that benefits both peoples.

Sheikh Mohammed held talks with Xi when he attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics in the Chinese capital in February.