UAE, China vow to boost ties

BEIJING — General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, on Thursday discussed with Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao the distinguished relations between the two countries and ways to boost them in the light of support from the leadership of both countries.

By (Wam)

Published: Fri 30 Mar 2012, 2:52 PM

Last updated: Tue 7 Apr 2015, 12:09 PM

They discussed current developments in the Middle East with emphasis on the importance of peaceful diplomatic efforts of Kofi Annan, Joint Special Envoy of the UN and the Arab League, to put an end to the standoff in Syria and restore peace, security and stability.

The meeting follows the reception given to Shaikh Mohammed at the Council of Ministers in Beijing by Jiabao in the presence of UAE Foreign Minister Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Khaldoun Khalifa, Chairman of the Executive Council Affairs; Nasser Ahmed Al Suwaidi, Head of the Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi; Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court; and Omar Ahmed Al Bittar, UAE Ambassador to China.

Shaikh Mohammed conveyed the regards of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to the Chinese premier. He expressed his pleasure in visiting China and experiencing the good hospitality.

He added that the UAE under the leadership of Shaikh Khalifa is keen to strengthen the bilateral ties with China, referring to the significant Chinese role in safeguarding the regional and international security and stability as well as the true interest of China to forge and strengthen friendship ties with the Gulf Cooperation Council States (GCC), especially with the UAE on the basis of mutual interests.

Shaikh Mohammed said Jiabao’s recent visit to the UAE had achieved positive results like setting up of the long-term strategic partnership between the two countries, citing the historic relations of forefathers with China.

On his part, the Chinese premier welcomed the visit of Shaikh Mohammed and the delegation. He thanked the UAE leadership, government and people for the reception and hospitality accorded to him when he visited the UAE in January. Jiabao said the visit has given him first-hand information about the progress, openness and coexistence in the UAE, stressing keenness of his country on developing the distinguished relations with the UAE. The Chinese premier hoped that the visit of Shaikh Mohammed would further strengthen the strategic links between the two friendly countries.

The meeting also addressed cultural, educational and tourism exchange. The two sides discussed a number of regional and international issues, stressing the need for security and stability in the region to serve the comprehensive development.