His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Li Yuanchao, Vice President of the People's Republic of China, discussed yesterday friendship and bilateral relations between the UAE and China, as well as ways to enhance them in various fields to achieve joint interests in light of the interest and support of the leaders of the two countries.

Sheikh Mohamed and accompanying delegation met with Li Yuanchao at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, where they also discussed cooperation in various domains and ways to develop them in the best interest of the two friendly peoples.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Chinese vice president welcomed Sheikh Mohamed and his accompanying delegation, saying, 'Your third visit to China reflects your interest in the partnership between the two countries. We welcome this visit to further enhance our strategic relations.' He said that the UAE is an important strategic partner to China, hoping the visit would strengthen the wider and diversified cooperation between the two countries to become the model of relations among the countries of the region within the framework of the economic and trade partnership.

Li Yuanchao noted, "We take interest in the developing bilateral relations, and your visit will add more vitality to the relations between the two friendly countries. It represents a step forward to strengthening cooperation and the economic partnership between the two sides." He also stressed the importance of continuous meetings and visits of top officials, as well as holding of the trade and economic events in the two countries.

For his part, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi expressed his satisfaction at visiting China once more, saying, "I thank you for your generous invitation to visit your friendly country. I appreciate your warm welcome and hospitality accorded to us."

Sheikh Mohamed emphasised the keenness of the UAE, led by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to develop relations with China, noting that the relations between the two countries are expected to experience more growth in the coming period in light of huge potential enjoyed by both countries.

He referred to the economic and international development achieved by China, which made it an important global player in the international economic arena, adding that the UAE has the desire to boost cooperation with China to spur the growth and development in both countries.

Sheikh Mohamed reiterated that the UAE, with its strategic location, will help to develop the stature of China to become an international trade hub that connects the East with West, as a result of its attractive environment for investment and free trade, stressing that the UAE takes note in China's "One Belt, One Road," a strategy which offers unprecedented opportunities to enhance the economic development across the Middle East.

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi noted that China, with its significant regional and global impact and its positive and constructive role in safeguarding the security and peace and stability in the international arena, could play a vital and balanced role in finding appropriate solutions and settlements to many issues and crises in the Middle East, in cooperation with competent regional and international powers.

He also referred to China's decisive stance in fighting terrorism and extremism, which is part of the regional and international campaign to stem threats posed by the terrorists.

The two sides also exchanged views on the latest regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Among those who attended the meeting were Dr. Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Speaker of Federal National Council (FNC), H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court, the accompanying delegation of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, other ministers and top Chinese officials. – Emirates News Agency,
Source: WAM