Xi lauds 'close' friendship with UAE

Tap potential for cooperation, president says

President Xi Jinping said he hopes his visit to the United Arab Emirates will upgrade bilateral relations and build a China-UAE community of a shared future in Belt and Road cooperation, benefiting people of both countries.

Xi made the remark in a signed article published by UAE media, including the English-language newspaper The National, ahead of his visit to the country scheduled for Thursday, the first by a Chinese head of state in 29 years.