China, UAE agree to boost cooperation, ties

ABU DHABI - China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) agreed here on Saturday to boost their strategic partnership and bilateral cooperation.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi is on an official visit to the UAE. He held a meeting with his UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan on Saturday.

During the talks, Wang said China and the UAE have maintained the momentum for the growth of their relations, and have always respected and supported each other despite differences in their respective societies and cultures.

China values the spirit of openness and inclusiveness the UAE has displayed, as well as the country's pivotal role in the region,

said Wang, adding that Beijing is ready to promote bilateral partnership for cooperation from a strategic and long-term view.

The Chinese foreign minister also said that the two countries are now facing a key opportunity to boost their bilateral ties.

According to Wang, China is now moving fast to open its doors even wider to its West, and has been working to implement "the Belt and Road initiatives."

The Belt and Road Initiatives were put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his overseas visits in 2013, which includes the Silk Road Economic Belt - from China via Central Asia and Russia to Europe, and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road - through the Strait of Malacca to India, the Middle East and East Africa.

China would like to coordinate with the UAE in their development strategies in a bid to spur common growth, he said, adding that China is willing to cooperate with the UAE in high-speed railways, nuclear power, telecommunications and other sectors as well.

The Chinese diplomat also hoped that the UAE can play a positive role in free trade zone talks between China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

The two sides can also enhance their collaboration in dealing with international and regional affairs, said Wang.

Also during the meeting, UAE foreign minister Abdullah said the UAE-China cooperation has been quite fruitful, while the two countries have a lot in common in handling issues in the region and around the globe.

He said boosting UAE's relations with China has always been a priority for his country, adding that the UAE is willing to deepen their all-round cooperation, and expand two-way investment and trade.

The UAE, according to the minister, also seeks to coordinate its "look east" policy with China's Belt and Road initiatives in the pursuit of win-win results.

The UAE supports the GCC to speed up its talks with China on the free trade area, he added.

Before his arrival in the UAE, the Chinese foreign minister also visited Pakistan. He will travel to Iran after his UAE trip.