Staying in the Middle East. China has formally confirmed its participation in Dubai's Expo 2020. That comes as the world expo will be held in a Middle East country for the first time ever. China says participating in the expo will boost its Belt and Road programs. Nawied Jabarkhyl reports from Dubai.

With just over two years until its doors open, Dubai's preparations for the World Expo are in full swing. Promising to be the largest event of its kind, 180 countries and regions are expected to take part in the global trade show. Few of them will be as closely watched as China, which has now confirmed its involvement.

NAJEEB MOHAMMED AL-ALI, EXECUTIVE DIR. DUBAI EXPO 2020 BUREAU "A country like China, with a rich history that spans over thousands of years, to actually have that opportunity for us to showcase their latest innovations – especially in the areas of technology, as a leading country globally in that field – is a great step forward."

China's self-built pavilion will be one of the biggest here, spanning over 4,500 square metres. It will have a particular focus on science and technology as the country looks to show a modern face to the world.

NAWIED JABARKHYL DUBAI "In the distance behind me is where China's pavilion will eventually be built. Although we can't show you the exact location of the site, Chinese officials have told us they plan on investing tens of millions of dollars on infrastructure here. The first World Expo to be held in the Middle East and Africa is being viewed as an opportunity for China to showcase its Belt and Road plans across the region."

An hour down the road from the Expo site, is China's embassy in the United Arab Emirates, in its capital Abu Dhabi. Beijing's top diplomat here says trade will be high on the agenda for the world's second-largest economy.

NI JIAN CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO THE UAE "The UAE nowadays is the second biggest trade partner of China in this region. And, the trade volume between China and the UAE last year came to $41 billion, quite a big amount."

But it's not just the UAE that China's hoping to tap into.

NI JIAN CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO THE UAE  "Dubai Expo would be a very good and big platform to push forward the Belt and Road initiative and to make more signings of different MoUs and different agreements."

Expo officials say all construction work is on track to be completed by October 2019, a year before doors are set to open. And with 25 million visits expected during the six-months, the show will be seen as a golden opportunity for China to cement its trade ties in the region. Nawied Jabarkhyl, CGTN, Dubai.