China views Dubai Expo 2020 as chance to show its development

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Over 180 countries are set to participate in Dubai’s Expo 2020, but few of them will be as closely watched as China, which officially confirmed its participation at the event earlier this month.

The world’s second largest economy has seen trade ties with Middle Eastern nations grow rapidly in the past decade, and views the Arab world as a crucial part of its wider Belt and Road Initiative. The plan seeks to forge new trade links by land and sea along the ancient Silk Road from Asia to Europe. Dubai and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) seem ideally located to benefit.

Delegates of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) meet with members from China Ocean Shipping Company, also known as COSCO, in UAE to discuss Chinese businesses in the country‍, November 24, 2017. /Photo via CCPIT website

To highlight that point, here’s a powerful fact. According to Dubai government figures in 2005, there were fewer than 20 Chinese companies registered in the city. Today, more than 4,000 of them are active in the UAE, including global giants like China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) and Huawei. Little wonder then that China is Dubai’s largest trade partner.

The executive director of Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau, Najeeb Mohammed Al-Ali believes China’s participation will add a great deal to the event, both economically and culturally. “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…it is a great step forward,” he told CGTN.

Chinese Embassy in UAE, Abu Dhabi, UAE /CGTN Photo

His views were echoed by China’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Ni Jian, when we sat down in the country’s embassy in Abu Dhabi. China views this as an opportunity to showcase its development to the world, and in particular, its rapid advances in science and R&D, said the Ambassador. "We will show the visitors a modern China, the innovation of China and [the] new technologies of China."

Once complete, the Chinese pavilion at Expo 2020 will cover over 4,500 square meters, making it one of the largest of all the participating nations. Ambassador Ni Jian said they’ll be investing tens of millions of dollars in building the site, with Chinese companies set to benefit from many of the contracts.

One construction site of the 2020 World Expo /CGTN Photo

There’s still a great deal of sand here, as you’d expect in Dubai, but it’s punctuated by huge swathes of construction work and buildings quickly taking shape.

Mr. Al-Ali told CGTN's reporter that all the construction work is firmly on track and set to be completed by October 2019, a full year before the doors open to the public on October 20, 2020.

It seems to be an ambitious target. But with 170 countries confirming their desire to participate in the event, Dubai is determined to ensure it’s completed on time.

Fireworks illuminate the sky near Dubai's Burj Al Arab building during celebrations of the UAE national day and the victory of Dubai for the hosting of the 2020 World Expo, December 2, 2013. /VCG Photo

As the first World Expo to take place in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, Dubai’s investing billions of dollars in hosting the event, and hopes that it can bridge cultures and form new trade links.

One nation that’s certainly viewing it as an opportunity is China, as President Xi Jinping has made it clear that the Belt and Road Initiative is central to the country’s future, and Expo 2020 could offer the ideal platform to showcase those plans.