China, UAE pledge to boost Belt and Road cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi of the United Arab Emirates, in Beijing, capital of China, Dec 14, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING - President Xi Jinping met with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed on Monday, and they pledged to boost practical cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Hailing the ever-growing ties between China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Xi said China regards the UAE as a good friend and partner in the Gulf region and will enhance the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Xi said the two sides should boost practical cooperation within the framework in pursuit of reciprocity and common development.

"China is ready to speed up policy and project alignment with the UAE," Xi said, stressing industrial cooperation in energy, infrastructure, trade and investment, and astronautics.

Xi said the joint investment fund is a highlight of cooperation between the two countries. Xi and Sheikh Mohamed witnessed the signing of a memorandum on the fund after their meeting at the Great Hall of the People.

Xi said China is willing to work with the UAE to make the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) a financing platform that generates win-win results, and promotes regional connectivity and economic development.

The president was also upbeat over trilateral cooperation with the UAE in Africa and closer security cooperation with the country.

Hailing China's important global role, Sheikh Mohamed said the UAE is committed to the strategic partnership with China, and will increase investment and cooperation with China on infrastructure, recycling energy and technology.

The UAE will support and participate in the Belt and Road Initiative, play an active part in the AIIB and discuss further the trilateral cooperation in Africa, said the crown prince.

The Gulf country will increase security cooperation as well as coordination in international and regional affairs with China, Sheikh Mohamed added.

During the meeting, they also exchanged views on cooperation between China and Gulf countries.

Sheikh Mohamed is on a four-day official visit to China at the invitation of Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao. Mohamed and Li held talks earlier on Monday.