DUBAI - China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin said here on Monday that China hopes to strengthen its cooperation with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in such fields as energy and project contracting.

The recent establishment of a strategic partnership between China and the UAE "provides a broad prospect for the development of bilateral ties and bears great significance," Jia said during a meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, UAE vice president and prime minister.

China pays great importance to its friendship and cooperation with the UAE and hopes to expand bilateral cooperation in the fields of finance, aviation and tourism, said Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Jia told Mohammed, also ruler of Dubai, that China and Dubai have seen increasingly close relations and the two sides enjoy a sound basis for cooperation.

"I believe the trade and investment cooperation between China and Dubai will be continuously expanded with the joint efforts of both sides," Jia said.

For his part, Mohammed said the establishment of the strategic partnership between the two countries will promote high-level exchanges, deepen political mutual trust and lead to more fruitful cooperation in the fields of trade, energy and people-to-people contacts.

The trade between Dubai and China has significantly contributed to the development of Dubai, Mohammed said, adding that Chinese companies are most welcome to invest in Dubai and the sheikdom is ready to create sound environment in this regard.