Abu Dhabi: United Arab Emirates (UAE) and China have solidified their relationship, ushering in what many are calling a ‘golden era’ of cooperation. This partnership is built on shared interests across economic, political, and technological sectors, and both nations have committed to further strengthening ties in the years to come. The two nations have taken substantial steps to bolster their relationship, demonstrated by the signing of over 148 bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding in diverse sectors.
Strengthening Diplomatic Ties
In recent years, the UAE and China have elevated their bilateral relationship to the level of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). This reflects the deepening of their diplomatic engagement, marked by high-level exchanges between leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the UAE in 2018, which set the tone for broader cooperation.
The two countries have also aligned themselves on several global issues, further solidifying their mutual respect and willingness to collaborate within international forums like the United Nations and other global institutions.
Expanding Economic Collaboration
Economic cooperation has been the cornerstone of the UAE-China relationship, with trade volume between the two countries surpassing $72 billion in 2022. China is the UAE’s largest non-oil trading partner, and both nations have invested significantly in each other’s economies.
China has invested heavily in ‘infrastructure projects’ in the UAE, including projects within ‘Dubai’s Expo 2020’ site. At the same time, UAE companies have increasingly invested in China’s growing sectors, particularly in renewable energy, financial services, and logistics. Additionally, China’s ‘Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)’ launched by President Xi Jinping in 2013 has made the UAE a key node for global connectivity.
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Energy and Technology Cooperation
Energy cooperation has long been a pillar of UAE-China relations. The UAE is a key supplier of crude oil to China, and both nations are exploring partnerships in renewable energy. The ‘Masdar Clean Energy project’, in particular, is an example of collaborative work in solar energy and sustainable development.
In the realm of technology, Chinese tech giants like ‘Huawei’ and ‘Alibaba’ are making significant inroads into the UAE, particularly in the areas of ‘5G infrastructure’ and ‘artificial intelligence (AI)’. UAE has also positioned itself as a hub for Chinese companies expanding into the Middle East and Africa.
Key sectors for UAE investments in China include telecommunications, renewable energy, transport and logistics, hospitality and tourism, and rubber. The number of UAE companies operating in the Chinese market exceeds 55.
Cultural Exchange and Soft Power
Cultural diplomacy is another growing facet of the UAE-China relationship. The increasing presence of Chinese nationals in the UAE, particularly in Dubai, has led to the growth of Chinese cultural institutions, including schools and community centers.
At the same time, the UAE is encouraging ‘Arabic-Chinese language education’ and exchanges in fields such as ‘tourism, art, and education’. The partnership aims to build greater understanding between the peoples of both nations, reflecting the importance of soft power in modern diplomacy.
The Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Centre for Arabic Language and Islamic Studies is, established in 1990 at the Beijing Foreign Studies University, has played a key role in promoting Arab culture in China and advancing the Arabic language.
Cultural weeks, music festivals, book fairs, and other events held between the two nations continue to enhance cultural ties year after year.
Shared Vision for Global Cooperation
As the UAE and China celebrate their growing strategic partnership, both countries see their collaboration as a model for future cooperation between nations of the ‘Global South’. With China’s vision of a “community with a shared future for mankind” and the UAE’s goal of diversifying its economy beyond oil, their alliance is poised to have a significant impact on global trade, technology, and diplomacy in the coming years.
The UAE-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership truly marks a new chapter in their bilateral relations, with both nations eager to explore further avenues of cooperation and mutual growth.