Amid the official visit of His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, to the People’s Republic of China, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and China are intensifying their efforts to explore and enhance their commercial and investment partnership. This was the focus of the business promotion conference held in China’s capital, Beijing, under the theme “From Vision to Value.” Notable ministers, officials, and leaders from both nations gathered to uncover new opportunities aimed at fostering this strategic alliance through comprehensive cooperation.
Commitment to Strategic Partnership
The convening of the conference serves as a testament to the UAE and China’s mutual commitment to fortifying their strategic partnerships. By continuing to explore various avenues of collaboration, both countries aim to elevate their economic ties to new heights. This comprehensive collaboration focuses on sustainable development paths that align with both nations’ mutual interests, ultimately benefiting their friendly populations.
Remarks from Key Officials
In his address, His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, emphasized that the business promotion conference between the UAE and China, coinciding with Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s state visit, injects renewed momentum into the trading and investment relations between the two countries. He stated: “The UAE and China share a common vision for building a prosperous future for their business communities, stemming from a close and ever-growing trade partnership.” Notably, non-oil bilateral trade surpassed $100 billion for the first time in 2025, reaching $111.5 billion (AED 410 billion), achieving a record yearly growth of 24.5%. This impressive figure underscores the strength of their trade relations and the vast potential for further growth and prosperity.
Collaboration and New Agreements
The “Business Promotion Conference between the UAE and China” was organized in partnership with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade and the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, alongside the UAE Embassy in Beijing and the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME). This event saw the participation of ministers, officials, and business leaders from both sides, as well as representatives from companies in promising sectors, including renewable energy, oil and gas, aviation, transportation, logistics, advanced technology, space, banking, healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, education, and innovation.
During the conference, 24 new agreements and memorandums of understanding were signed, aimed at enhancing cooperation within various sectors of business between the UAE and China. These agreements contribute not only to economic and commercial collaboration but also to investment opportunities that benefit both nations.
China’s Role as a Key Trade Partner
China stands as the UAE’s leading global trading partner, accounting for nearly 11% of the UAE’s total non-oil trade. It holds the top position in imports and ranks eleventh in non-oil exports. Interestingly, the UAE is also China’s primary trading partner in non-oil goods across the Middle East and Africa, reflecting over 20% growth over the past decade. As the largest partner in this field within the Arab world, the UAE accounts for approximately one-third of China’s total trade with Arab nations.
A Vision for a Prosperous Future
The conference underscored a shared vision between the UAE and China to pave the way for a more prosperous future for their business communities. The signing of 24 new agreements and memorandums of understanding is a significant step toward solidifying their economic and investment cooperation. As both nations continue to collaborate, the UAE’s position as China’s leading trading partner in non-oil goods within the region is poised to strengthen further.