Mohammad: Gulf-China talks could lead to free zone

Beijing: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has expressed hope that ongoing negotiations between Gulf countries and China would lead to establishing a joint free zone for the benefit of all parties.

Shaikh Mohammad expressed the UAE's keenness to bolster trade cooperation with China, which he described as the largest trade partner of the UAE. The remarks were made when Shaikh Mohammad was received by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in Beijing yesterday. An official reception was given to Shaikh Mohammad at the Grand Hall according to traditional Chinese protocol.

Shaikh Mohammad yesterday left Beijing after concluding a four-day official visit. The Chinese Premier expressed hopes that Shaikh Mohammad's visit would be a success, noting that it would boost bilateral cooperation.

Cooperation

Shaikh Mohammad and the Chinese Premier attended the signing of agreements between the UAE and China, including agreements on security cooperation and education and scientific research, and a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in health quarantine.

Shaikh Mohammad also held talks with Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping, who expressed confidence that this first official visit of a UAE Prime Minister to China would boost bilateral relations and cooperation.

The Chinese Vice-President agreed that exchanged visits between UAE and Chinese officials cement cooperation not only at economic and commercial levels, but in the cultural, tourism and technical fields as well.