“The diplomatic relations between the UAE and China, whose 40th anniversary we are celebrating this year, are a distinguished model of strategic partnership, as the relations between the two friendly countries are characterised by mutual trust, comprehensive cooperation and a shared vision of global challenges,” said Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, UAE Ambassador to China, in a recent exclusive interview with Xinhua News Agency.

The ambassador stressed that through the vision of the leaders of the two countries, bilateral cooperation has been enhanced to include various fields such as clean and sustainable energy, trade, tourism, culture and education. This leadership role has contributed to the signing of strategic agreements, increasing bilateral investments and organising exhibitions, conferences, forums and summits that reflect the commitment of the two countries to developing relations towards broader horizons.

Speaking about economic cooperation, the ambassador said that economic relations represent the fastest growing and developing aspect of UAE-China relations, as China is the UAE’s first trading partner, and the UAE is China’s first trading partner in the Middle East and North Africa region in terms of non-oil bilateral trade, noting the two countries’ determination to reach a volume of bilateral trade of 200 billion US dollars by 2030.

Al Hammadi pointed out that the UAE hosts a large number of Chinese companies operating in a favorable environment that enhances opportunities for growth and innovation, given that the UAE is considered a major attraction center for Chinese investments in the Middle East region, adding, "We also have greater ambitions to expand Emirati investments in China more and more, in the interest of the two friendly peoples and countries."

He added that the UAE was one of the first countries to join the Belt and Road Initiative, which opened a vast gateway of opportunities for the two countries that contributed to expanding bilateral cooperation in all fields. He also pointed out that the UAE's accession to the BRICS group this year is an important step that reflects the UAE's commitment to cooperating with emerging economies in the world to promote global peace, stability and prosperity.

On the other hand, the ambassador said that the cooperation between the UAE and China in the field of renewable energy is witnessing increasing momentum, and that this cooperation reflects a shared strategic vision aimed at enhancing the transition towards clean and green energy and achieving sustainable development. The Al Dhafra Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant project in Abu Dhabi, which is considered one of the largest solar photovoltaic projects in the world, and the Emirates Wind Energy Program in Abu Dhabi, which began operating in 2023, were launched. These two projects were built by Chinese companies, which represents an important step towards achieving the UAE's goals in the field of renewable and clean energy.

Educational and cultural exchange is also one of the main pillars of bilateral relations between the two countries. The ambassador said that educational and cultural exchange programmes have been a major driving force in strengthening UAE-China relations and opening new horizons for academic and cultural cooperation between the two countries.

In this context, Al Hammadi pointed out that the opening of the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Center for Arabic Language and Islamic Studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University was among the most prominent initiatives that formed a bridge to enhance mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries, while initiatives such as the 200 Chinese Language Schools Project and Confucius Institutes in the UAE played a vital role in promoting the teaching of Chinese language and culture, as the Chinese language is witnessing great demand and widespread spread in the UAE, and is now taught in an increasing number of local schools.

Al Hammadi added that the tourism sector is one of the main areas of cooperation between the two countries, as the total number of Chinese tourists to the UAE reached more than one million visitors in 2023, with more flights organised weekly between the two countries via Emirati and Chinese airlines.

Al Hammadi added, "Today, thanks to the wise leadership of both countries, the two countries are moving steadily towards a prosperous and sustainable future, as they continue to build bridges of communication and joint cooperation for the benefit of the two peoples and for future generations."