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China looks to greater Arab ties
July 14, 2018, 12:23 pm

Chinese President Xi Jinping will be taking a large trade delegation with him when he visits the UAE, ahead of his visit to South Africa for the 10th BRICS Summit [Archive]


For the first time in 29 years, a Chinese head of state will be visiting the United Arab Emirates to discuss bilateral ties and look at ways to expand the One Belt One Road culture and trade initiative to the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf, an official in Beijing said.

President Xi Jinping is expected to visit the UAE on July 19, followed by state visits to Senegal and Rwanda through to the 24th before arriving in South Africa to attend the 10th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg from July 25 to 27.

Chinese Ambassador to Abu Dhabi Ni Jian said that Xi’s trip to the UAE highlights a relationship that is at its peak and enjoys “mutual respect, friendship and win-win cooperation”.

He said that the strategic relationship with the UAE has stood the test of time, according to Abu Dhabi-based Gulf News.

The two countries also enjoy a high volume of trade estimated to be above $50 billion last year.

UAE media has called the upcoming visit historic and a milestone. Concurrent with Xi’s visit, the UAE will host a week of exchange and celebration of the ties between the two countries.

Xi’s visit to the UAE comes just a few days after the conclusion of the 26th Arab Economic Forum held on July 12-13 and the 8th ministerial conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF), held July 10 in Beijing.

In both, Arab countries hailed the strengthened trade ties and cultural exchanges with China.

During the CASCF, Arab and Chinese delegates approved the Beijing Declaration, a Declaration of Action on Sino-Arab Belt and Road Cooperation, and an action plan guiding the development of the Forum from 2018 to 2020.

The BRICS Post with inputs from Agencies