UAE President Sheikh Mohamed to embark on China state-visit

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will embark on a state visit to China on Thursday, May 30, following an invitation from Chinese President Xi Jinping, the UAE government has announced.

The visit will focus on strengthening bilateral relations and exploring further opportunities for cooperation, particularly in the economic, developmental, and cultural sectors. The discussions between Sheikh Mohamed and President Xi will take place under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework, which aims to enhance sustainable development and economic growth in both nations.

During his visit, Sheikh Mohamed will also attend events commemorating the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the UAE and China. Additionally, he will participate in the 10th Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum.

The two leaders are expected to address various regional and international issues of mutual interest, emphasising the importance of cooperation and dialogue in promoting global stability and peace.

The visit comes amid growing trade ties between the two countries.

“Recent years have seen a substantial increase in economic and trade cooperation between China and the UAE, with China consistently serving as the UAE’s leading trade partner,” reads a note from Dezan Shira & Associates as part of its China Briefing reports.

“By 2023, bilateral trade between the two nations had reached around $95bn,” the report notes.