ABU DHABI: The UAE and China have agreed to enhance cooperation in all fields to higher levels and forge overall strategic partnership, which would contribute to cementing and intensifying cooperation, boost development and prosperity, which is consistent with the common interest of both countries and their peoples.
The two countries in a joint statement issued on Saturday on the occasion of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the UAE stressed their keenness to deepen cooperation within the “Belt and Road Initiative” to establish sustainable trade and investment partnership to achieve the common interests of both countries.
The Chinese president concluded his three-day visit to the UAE on Saturday. His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, bid farewell to him after his historic visit.
The UAE and China have agreed on enhancing cooperation and building ties in multiple fields:
Political field
The two sides believe that the current international and regional situation is experiencing changes and complicated, accelerating developments, which requires more coordination and cooperation between them in the international and regional affairs to reach a joint understanding.
The Chinese side supports the constructive role being played by the UAE in regional affairs, and the UAE hails the positive role played by China in the international issues, which mirrors the strong political ties.
The two sides will intensify the exchange of high-level visits and enhance strategic communication regarding bilateral relations, regional and international issues of mutual concern as well as increase communication, cooperation and coordination of positions in the international organisations, conventions and treaties in this regard.
The two sides will fully employ the political consultation mechanism between the foreign ministries of the two countries to discuss and address regional and global challenges.
The UAE side expresses its unwavering commitment to the One-China Principle and supports the position of the Government of the People’s Republic of China on the Taiwan issue. The country also supports the peaceful development of relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait and the issue of peaceful reunification of China.
China supports the UAE’s efforts to respect its sovereignty and territorial integrity and unity.
The two sides emphasise non-interference in the internal affairs of countries and peaceful resolution of issues in accordance with the principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.
Economic and financial fields
The two sides emphasise their desire on boosting cooperation within the initiative and to establish sustainable trade and investment partnerships in the best interest of the two sides.
The two sides are keen to further enhance cooperation in the economic, trade and employment fields, full employment of the role of the Joint UAE-China Economic and Trade Committee, mechanism of visit exchange between business persons and other platforms and mechanisms for economic and trade cooperation, thus driving the strong cooperation to practical economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.
The two sides support the establishment of the model park of China-UAE cooperation in the production capacity, which makes it a model project for both sides in the “Belt and Road Initiative”.
Enhancing cooperation in innovation, technology transfer
The UAE and China agree to enhance the role of private sector in both countries to strengthen the economic cooperation between the two sides through the optimal recruitment of the UAE-China Business Committee and other platforms aimed at exploring opportunities and building partnerships in various economic sectors, especially in the logistics, transport, industry, technology, Artificial Intelligence and energy, renewable and food security fields.
The two sides are keen on exchanging expertise in the free trade through ports and building special export-oriented economic zones, establishing industrial projects, achieving the industrial integration based on effective investment partnerships, exchange of expertise and the supporting technology of fourth generation industries and other advanced industries.
The two sides welcome and support the opening of branches of the banking institutions in both countries in compliance with laws, rules of supervision and management in each country.
Education, science and technology fields
The two sides encourage the establishment of educational projects in both countries in various educational stages.
The two sides are keen on developing cooperation in the scientific and technological innovation under the “Partnership Programme between China and Arab countries in Science and Technology “and encourage distinguished young Emirati scientists to conduct short-term scientific research in China and enhance cooperation on the technology transfer centres between China and the UAE, which would contribute to promoting the ideal use of modern and applied technology and disseminate it.
The two sides will also develop cooperation in the fields of peaceful use of nuclear energy, space, renewable energy, sustainable development, agriculture, environment and urban development,
Renewable energy and water
The two sides are keen on further enhancing comprehensive cooperation in energy and expand mutual investments between the two countries in this regard.
They will employ the potential of the two countries to cooperate in the clean and renewable energy and develop cooperation for the generation of renewable energy and the peaceful use of nuclear energy to reduce climate change effects, and support research institutions of both sides to carry out joint research.
The two countries also stress their commitment to continue to support the Abu Dhabi-based International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) to cooperate on Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and to benefit from it through the establishment of energy companies and other related fields.
Oil and gas sector
The two sides encourage the competent government departments and other competent companies of the two countries to promote cooperation in the crude oil trade, exploration and development of oil and natural gas resources and engineering construction services for oilfields, and for networking of strategic storage facilities, refining derivatives and petrochemicals domains, and other industries and related business activities.
Military, law enforcement and security fields
The UAE and China express their high appreciation for the existing friendship and constructive cooperation between the Chinese and UAE Armed Forces.
The two sides are keen to enhance practical cooperation between the two armies represented in high-level exchange of visits and communication between two armies in various forces and weapons, joint training of personnel and other domains through cooperation mechanism between them.
The two sides reaffirm their unequivocal rejection of all forms of terrorism, that represents a threat to the international peace and stability, and ensure security cooperation in this regard.
Cultural and humanitarian field
The two sides agreed to encourage cultural communication at the official and popular levels. They also support the opening of cultural centres in the two countries and the establishment of joint cultural projects between them and participate in various cultural events of the other side.
Consular field and facilitating movement of the citizens
The UAE and China are keen on further facilitating movement of the citizens of the two countries through a comprehensive visa waiver agreement, strengthening humanitarian ties and supporting tourism and cultural movement, as well as ensure the safety of citizens and companies of both sides.
Mechanism of implementing strategic partnership
The two sides agree to support the role of the mechanism of the Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee, established in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding signed on Establishment of the Cooperation Committee between the United Arab Emirates and the People’s Republic of China on May 2, 2017, and stress the role of this mechanism to implement the provisions of this statement to ensure achievement of the objectives and comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.
