The historic visit of the Chinese president will focus on trade and people-to-people contact. The UAE and China are keen to take their ties to the next level.

Ni Jian, Chinese ambassador to the UAE told a press conference in Abu Dhabi, “At present, the China-UAE relationship is at its best. It is an exemplary model of mutual respect, friendship and win-win cooperation.”

Ni also said, “China and the UAE, who are natural partners in Belt and Road cooperation, need to follow the Silk Road spirit of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and benefit, and seek greater synergy in national development.” Further adding that, “President Xi Jiping’s historic visit to the UAE, the first in almost 30 years, is a milestone in UAE-China ties and shows the importance China accords to its strategic relationship with the UAE that has stood the test of time.”

Ni also stressed that Xi’s visit to the UAE only shows that there is still the desire within the nations to diversify the developing relations and meet joint goals and aspirations.

He also said, “China will build a massive pavilion at Dubai Expo 2020 to showcase Chinese talent along side Emirati talent.” And also mentioned, “Chinese expatriate community in the UAE is estimated at more than 200,000, the largest in the Middle East and more than a million Chinese tourists visited the UAE in 2017, up from 600,000 in 2016.”

“The scope of our results-oriented business cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries has kept growing to cover a wide range of areas deepening friendship,” he said.

Shaikh Mansour said Xi is scheduled to hold talks with His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.