Abu Dhabi – Mubasher: Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy, and Tian Lilan, Governor of China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, discussed ways to enhance economic cooperation in several sectors of mutual interest in the coming period, contributing to the strengthening of the strategic economic partnership between the UAE and the People's Republic of China.

During the meeting, held today at the ministry's headquarters in Abu Dhabi, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri affirmed that economic relations between the two countries represent a successful model of strategic partnerships based on diversity and innovation.

He pointed out that the UAE is keen to enhance joint cooperation in various vital sectors with China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, including the new economy, entrepreneurship, air transport, technology, advanced industries, renewable energy, e-commerce, logistics services, and tourism, according to the Emirates News Agency, WAM.

He stressed the importance of continuing to explore further investment and development opportunities that support sustainable development and prosperity for both sides, by continuing to strengthen trade and investment ties between the UAE and China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

He explained that the UAE represents a strategic gateway to the markets of the Middle East and Africa, thanks to its position as a global re-export and advanced logistics center .

He stressed that the integrated economic environment provided by the state to its trading partners, including the Guangxi region, enables them to expand into new markets and facilitates the flow of their exports and foreign investments .

The two sides discussed opportunities to enhance cooperation between the public and private sectors in both countries, particularly in the areas of digital trade, smart manufacturing, advanced technologies, and infrastructure investment. They also touched on the possibility of expanding cooperation in the areas of food security, sustainable agriculture, free zones, tourism, air transport, and smart cities.

In this context, the Chinese side welcomed the strengthening of economic cooperation with the UAE and the development of new mechanisms for exchanging expertise in the fields of technology, logistics, and ports, in line with the global standing of both the UAE and China as influential economic centers in the global trade movement .

Both sides emphasized the continued exchange of delegations and participation in economic exhibitions and events, as these events represent platforms for strengthening partnerships between the business communities on both sides and exploring investment and cooperation opportunities, especially given the numerous opportunities offered by the business environments in the UAE and China, which have witnessed unprecedented development at all levels in recent years .

Economic relations between the UAE and the People's Republic of China are witnessing continuous growth, as China is the UAE's primary trading partner and accounts for a significant proportion of the country's total non-oil trade .

The UAE is also home to more than 15,000 Chinese companies operating across diverse sectors, reflecting the growing confidence of the Chinese business community in the UAE's business environment. Bilateral trade between the UAE and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region reached $969 million in 2024, driven by significant growth in cooperation between free zones on both sides .

The tourism sector represents one of the most important sectors in the economic relations between the UAE and China. In 2024, the UAE received more than one million Chinese tourists, and the number of Chinese residents in the UAE reached approximately 350,000, with more than 250 flights per month between the two countries .