China, UAE upgrade ties to comprehensive strategic partnership

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02:18

China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to upgrade bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, according to a joint statement issued by the two countries after talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and UAE leaders on Friday.

President Xi said he believes the comprehensive strategic partnership is beneficial for the two sides to deepen strategic mutual trust and mutually beneficial cooperation.

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, UAE, July 20, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

Elevating ties to the comprehensive strategic partnership complies with shared desires of the two countries and peoples, the UAE's Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said.

According to the statement, the two sides agree to continue to support each other on issues relating to sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and security.

Thus, China and the UAE will take care of each other's core interests and major concerns and follow the principles of mutual noninterference in domestic affairs, the statement added.

Belt and Road cooperation

The UAE welcomes and supports the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, the statement stressed, adding that the UAE is willing to continuously join Belt and Road construction and to participate in key activities like the Belt and Road Forum (BRF) for International Cooperation.

China appreciates the UAE's participation and welcomes the UAE to become an important cooperative partner in the Belt and Road Initiative, the statement said.

The Chinese president said the UAE is a natural partner in the Belt and Road Initiative.

China regards the UAE as the pivotal country for Belt and Road construction and appreciates the Revitalizing the Silk Road Concept proposed by the UAE leaders, Xi added.

The UAE's Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum reiterated his support for the Belt and Road Initiative during the meeting. He expressed that China is leading the world to revitalize the Silk Road, and the Belt and Road Initiative has won global support.

China has also welcomed the UAE to actively participate in this year's China International Import Expo (CIIE) and the two sides have agreed to strengthen cooperation within the CIIE framework.

The UAE is one of the first countries to embrace the Belt and Road Initiative, and also a founding member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

Leaders of the two countries also witnessed the signing of agreements including Belt and Road construction cooperation documents.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan attend a grand welcome ceremony in Abu Dhabi, UAE, July 20, 2018. /Xinhua Photo‍

Earlier on Thursday ahead of Xi's arrival, China and the UAE signed an agreement to build a new trade zone in Dubai.

The project, also a part of the Belt and Road Initiative, will cover three square kilometers and will host a vast range of goods from food and cosmetics to building materials and technology.

The UAE's vice president and prime minister also appreciated the opening-up development strategy that China has been pursuing. Calling China a reliable partner, he said the UAE is willing to cooperate with China in broader fields.

According to the statement, the two sides also agreed to cooperate closely in education, science, technology, energy, oil and gas cooperation, security, humanities and other fields.

Chinese president receives honor

01:43

The UAE's Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi also presented the Order of Zayed to President Xi. This was not the first time that Xi has received such honors from another country.

While visiting Russia in July last year, Xi was awarded the highest order of Russia, known as the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle the First-Called, by Russian President Putin.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is conferred with the Order of Zayed, the UAE's highest civil decoration, after talks with UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, UAE, July 20, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

During his visit to Peru in November 2016, Xi received the Grand-Cross Medal of Honor of the Peruvian Congress from Luz Salgado, president of Peru's Congress.

From 2013 to 2016, the Chinese president received a number of honors, such as the Key to the City of the capitals of Costa Rica, Mexico, Argentina and the Czech Republic, Belgium's Grand Cordon medal of the Order of Leopold, Venezuela's Order of the Liberator, Cuba's Order of Jose Marti, Pakistan's Nishan-e-Pakistan award, and Saudi Arabia's Order of King Abdulaziz.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) is awarded by his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin the highest order of Russia, or the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle the First-Called, after their talks in Moscow, Russia, July 4, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

A grand welcome ceremony for Chinese President Xi Jinping was also held earlier Friday by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the UAE Presidential Palace.

Xi arrived in Abu Dhabi on July 19, marking the first tour by a Chinese head of state to the country in 29 years.

The UAE is the first country Xi has visited since his re-election as president of the People's Republic of China in March, and is the first stop on Xi’s overseas trip, which lasts from July 19 to 28.

After the UAE, Xi will travel to Africa to visit Senegal, Rwanda and South Africa, where he is scheduled to attend the 10th BRICS summit in the South African city Johannesburg from July 25 to 27.

He will also pay a friendly visit to Mauritius during a stopover on his way back to Beijing.