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21:30 GMT
ABU DHABI, July 19 (KUNA) -- UAE's Vice President Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al-Maktoum lauded China's President Xi Jinping's visit to his country, describing it as "historic" and paves the way for a new strategic chapter in the two countries' relationship, official media reported Wednesday.
Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid, also Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, made his remarks to reporters following Xi Jinping's arrival, along with his accompanying delegation, to the country for a three-day official visit, according to Emirates News Agency (WAM).
He commended Emirati-Chinese "strong" economic ties, as well as the "prosperous" commercial exchanges between them, indicating his country's trade volume with China represents nearly a quarter of the 2017's total volume of Arab-Chinese trade.
The two countries' economic cooperation includes several vital sectors such as oil, gas, renewable energy, infrastructure, and enhanced technology, said the top Emirati official.
"In addition to our strong economic and political relationship, we also strive to boost cultural, popular, and humanitarian ties with China," Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid said, praising the Emirati-Chinese consensus towards a number of regional and international issues in light of their strategic partnership.
For his part, the Chinese President expressed, to the press, his joy of visiting the UAE, and affirmed his confidence the visit would be successful and boosts friendship between the two countries and people.
"The UAE has been leading the Middle Eastern countries in terms of economic diversification, tolerance and social openness and has become a role model for development and prosperity in the Arab World," he said.
"China and the UAE have been dealing with each other with mutual respect and equality while bilateral ties have been witnessing significant progress. Practical joint cooperation has also produced fruitful achievements," added Xi Jinping.
"The UAE is playing a positive role in safeguarding and maintaining peace and stability in the region since we established our diplomatic relations 34 years," he noted.
The Chinese President also mentioned that his country pays a special attention to efforts aimed at developing strategic partnership with the UAE, expressing Beijing's keenness to work with the GCC-member state to expand and deepen their joint cooperation on all levels and fields within the framework of the "Belt and Road" Initiative. (end)
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