Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his United Arab Emirates (UAE) counterpart, Sheikh Abdullah, have wrapped up the first in a series of meetings on intergovernmental cooperation. Speaking after the meeting in Beijing on Tuesday, Wang called for more strategic cooperation between the two countries, with a particular focus on energy, people-to-people exchanges, and anti-graft measures. Wang also promised that China would work more closely with the UAE on fighting global terrorism.

Wang said the two countries have reached extensive consensus on the future steps to further strengthen the strategic partnership.

"We have identified cooperation in seven key areas and the Chinese proposals have been warmly responded by the Foreign Minister. We have laid out the overall plan for the future cooperation. We are determined to further strengthen our strategic and political mutual trust. China will continue to remain committed to stability and development of the middle east and we look at the UAE as an important strategic partner to maintain stability in the Gulf region. We will work together to seek political settlement of regional hot spot issues. China also appreciated the continued commitment of the UAE to the one-China policy."

Wang expressed satisfaction in the upper stream and lower stream oil cooperation between the two countries. He said China is satisfied with the progress made and stressed the importance to further accelerate the oil and gas development cooperation, the construction of ports and the development of port side industrial parks. The two sides will explore cooperation in some new areas, for example, the nuclear energy power generation, clean energy and aviation and aerospace.

The UAE has decided to ground visa-free treatment to Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports. This will make the travel of Chinese people easier. Last year, about 600,000 visits were made between the two countries. Wang said he believes with that visa policy in place, that number will increase rapidly and probably this year and next year, the number will exceed one million. 

Abdullah said his country is committed in further enhancing the relationship between the two countries and very much values the wise policies of China.