As the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (and the World Anti-Fascist War) approaches, the Chinese community in the United Arab Emirates recently held a commemorative forum.
Chinese Ambassador to the UAE Zhang Yiming attended the event, urging overseas Chinese to uphold the spirit of resistance and contribute to strengthening friendly exchanges between China and the UAE.
This event underscored the deep friendship and shared historical memories between the two countries, reinforcing the spiritual bond that supports the ongoing deepening of bilateral relations.
The year 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the UAE. Over the decades, both countries have seen significant development across various fields, with bilateral relations currently at an all-time high.
This progress is attributed to the strategic guidance of leaders from both countries, mutually beneficial cooperation, and a solid foundation of public support.
ALSO READ: UAE says delegation's China visit boosts ties on climate, food security
The UAE is a key comprehensive strategic partner for China, and Chinese officials have expressed a commitment to advancing high-quality
cooperation with the UAE under the Belt and Road Initiative.
China aims to align its development strategies with those of its partner and strengthen cooperation in trade, energy, infrastructure, and
high-tech areas such as information technology, artificial intelligence, the digital economy, and new energy.
Meanwhile, the UAE prioritizes its relationship with China, placing it at the forefront of its diplomatic agenda.
In recent years, China and the UAE have made significant strides in various fields of cooperation, with promising prospects for the high-quality
joint development of the BRI. Economically, China has been the UAE’s largest trading partner for years, while the UAE is China’s largest
export market and investment destination among Arab countries.
In 2024, the trade volume between the two countries exceeded $101 billion, showcasing the robust resilience of their trade relationship.
Cooperation extends beyond traditional energy and investment sectors to include emerging areas such as advanced manufacturing, the digital economy, new energy, and biopharmaceuticals, yielding tangible benefits for both populations.
READ MORE: UAE official: China integral to UAE's clean energy transition
In terms of cultural exchange, the 100 Schools program for Chinese language teaching in the UAE, launched in 2019, has been highly successful.
As of July 2024, 171 public schools offered Chinese courses, with 71,000 primary and secondary school students learning the language, creating a vital platform for cultural exchange and mutual understanding.
Enhanced transportation links have further accelerated people-to-people interactions between China and the UAE.
China Eastern Airlines launched a direct round-trip flight between Shanghai and Abu Dhabi on April 28, becoming the first Chinese airline to operate this route. Emirates also launched a direct flight between Dubai and Shenzhen on July 1, and now operates 42 weekly flights between Dubai and major Chinese cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
According to data released by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, 824,000 Chinese tourists visited Dubai in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 31 percent.
A spokesperson from the Civil Aviation Administration of China noted that mutually beneficial exchanges and cooperation in civil aviation between China and the UAE will further promote trade growth, people-to-people exchanges, and the healthy and sustainable development of the global aviation industry.
From shared historical memories to deepening practical cooperation, China-UAE relations are progressing toward a broader future in political trust, economic collaboration, and cultural exchange, continuously driving the creation of a China-UAE community with a shared future, experts said.
