Mohammad's visit to China is significant

The UAE Government has always followed a balancing approach when it came to various countries across the world. Driven by an understanding of the constant changes taking place in international relations, and driven by a commitment to achieving development across all sectors in the country, the UAE has been successful in achieving many strides.

It is within this context that the current visit by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to the People's Republic of China takes on a significant connotation.

Shaikh Mohammad's visit is the first official state visit following that of the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan in 1990. Given the position of a country such as China, the visit carries with it many ramifications. For one thing, trade between the UAE and China has grown on an average of 40 per cent, from $4 billion in 2003 to $20 billion in 2007.

In addition, one factor that is shared by the economies of both countries is the rate of growth that both have been consistently achieving and enjoying. China has sustained an annual average growth rate of about 10 per cent.

The UAE has also been able to achieve an impressive growth rate, especially in recent years, which is one reason why China has ranked the UAE as its most important trading partner in the Gulf region.

But the scope of relations between the two countries goes beyond the business of numbers. China is an influential global power, which is expected to grow further in the future. And it is the recognition of this reality that makes Shaikh Mohammad's visit significant as it is not only foreseeing the future, but paving the way to it as well.