We will revive our historic ties, Mohammad Bin Zayed says as he concludes visit to China

Shanghai: A high-powered UAE delegation led by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, yesterday visited the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) and Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) on the last day of the three-day official visit to China.

In the first leg of his tour in Shanghai, Shaikh Mohammad visited SSE and was briefed by officials about its evolution, activities and role in the economy. The market was established in 1891, and was the first financial market in China. The market was renovated and reopened in 1990.

Shaikh Mohammad visited the share trading hall, which is fully equipped with giant display screens and electronic devices to enable investors to trade in stocks. He also visited the market’s museum which chronicles the SSE’s history and its phases of evolution. The museum is home to all the documents that were used for trading purposes during the early beginnings of the market.

Writing in the market’s register, Shaikh Mohammad said: “I am pleased to visit the Shanghai Stock Exchange, an economic and financial landmark in China where I was briefed about its history and role in the Chinese economy and enhancing its status on the global map.”

On the second leg of his tour, Shaikh Mohammad visited Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac), where he was updated on the company’s civil aircraft manufacturing projects. Officials of the company informed Shaikh Mohammad that Comac manufactured C919, its first passenger aircraft which accommodates 15 passengers and went into production last month. The aircraft’s first trial flight will be held next year, followed by several trial flights over the next three years before it becomes officially operational.

Shaikh Mohammad then visited Comac’s branch centres and assembly and trial flying centres, as well as the hangar lab where he viewed flight simulation devices and components and technologies used. At the end of his visit, he watched a film narrating glimpses of the aircraft design processes and phases and corporation development plans.

On the final leg of his Shanghai tour, Shaikh Mohammad visited Yang Xiong, Mayor of Shanghai. During the meeting they discussed ties of friendship and cooperation and ways to strengthen them in the best interests of both nations and peoples. They exchanged views and explored avenues of cooperation that will set up joint venture projects that serve both nations.

Shaikh Mohammad expressed his happiness at visiting Shanghai city, and praised the landmark achievements made by Shanghai in development and modernisation.

He underlined the depth of historical ties between the UAE and China that exemplifies the keenness of the leaderships of both countries to make UAE-China relations as a role model based on mutual respect, trust and common interests.

“My visit to Beijing was exceptional, and we in the UAE have great interest in enhancing and developing cooperation between both countries in economic areas,” said Shaikh Mohammad.

He pointed out that the relations between China and the Arab region are deeply rooted in history, and we will work to revive this historical relation. He expressed hope that the bilateral relations would see a massive shift over the next period, during which Shanghai will play a central role in enhancing our relations.

Shaikh Mohammad praised the massive developments witnessed by the industrial and technology sectors in Shanghai, particularly in the aviation and air transport sector.

He indicated that both countries have national aviation companies and fleets of high tech carriers that provide a high quality of services that we both can benefit from developing trade and increasing the rate of tourists between both countries.

Xiong welcomed Shaikh Mohammad’s visit. He reaffirmed that his recent visit to Abu Dhabi was fruitful, and opened up new horizons of cooperation and business partnerships.

Amal Al Qubaisi, Speaker of the Federal National Council, Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Shaikh Hamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court, and other senior officials.