UAE-China ties a strategic priority for both

The UAE-China relationship is approaching a significant milestone: the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Over the past almost three and a half decades, our relationship has deepened and strengthened in line with China's increasing importance as a global economic powerhouse.

Last year, bilateral trade between China and the United Arab Emirates jumped 15 percent to top 52 billion US dollars and has grown an impressive 800 fold since 1984, making China one of the UAE's top trading partners. Today our trading relations span a wide range of sectors, including energy, logistics, infrastructure, manufacturing, technology, finance, education, culture and tourism.

As China's economy grows, one of its primary strategic objectives is securing long-term, reliable supplies of energy. The UAE has emerged as a trusted partner in this area after landmark agreements that awarded China National Petroleum Corporation shares in Abu Dhabi's 40-year onshore and offshore concessions in 2017 and 2018.