China and the UAE: A Collaborative Vision for a Sustainable Future
The two nations strengthen bonds through economic and technological partnerships amid global challenges.
In March 2024, Muslims worldwide observed the holy month of Ramadan, coinciding with a significant political event in the People's Republic of China: the Third Session of the 14th National People's Congress.
This annual event, part of the dual sessions known as the 'Two Meetings', serves as a critical window for understanding China's comprehensive political process, allowing key partners like the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to gain insights into future planning in China.
China and the UAE are aligned in a development strategy emphasizing economic prosperity and quality of life.
According to the Chinese government's work report for 2024, China's GDP reached 134.9 trillion yuan, reflecting a 5% increase and maintaining a significant contribution of around 30% to global economic growth.
This year, China created 12.56 million new urban jobs and saw a 5.1% real increase in per capita disposable income, demonstrating improvements in citizens' living standards.
The government's commitment to ensuring mandatory education, basic old-age insurance, basic medical services, and social welfare is set to continue.
Projections indicate that China's economy may grow by approximately 5% again by 2025, with a focus on enhancing living standards and consumer stimulation through a series of new measures aimed at improving social security and supporting those in need.
Concurrently, the UAE, particularly Dubai, is anticipated to experience rapid GDP growth in 2024, with new initiatives to enhance housing, health care, education, and infrastructure.
In technology and future-oriented strategies, China's research and development spending exceeded 3.6 trillion yuan in 2024, marking an 8% increase.
The nation is home to nearly 500,000 patent-holding firms and has established five new national innovation centers focused on energy storage, precision manufacturing, molecular pharmaceuticals, humanoid robotics, and intelligent robotics.
China's production of electric vehicles surpasses 13 million units, capturing over 60% of global output.
The semiconductor industry reported a record export figure of 1.1 trillion yuan this year.
Chinese advancements in artificial intelligence, exemplified by competitive models like DeepSeek, enhance confidence among the UAE and other countries in AI development.
These technological advancements form a basis for deeper cooperation between China and the UAE.
China and the UAE also adhere to principles of openness and mutual benefit in their foreign relations.
President Xi Jinping reaffirmed China's commitment to widening its openness to global trade and cooperation.
Currently, China is the main trading partner for over 150 countries and regions and has signed 23 free trade agreements with 30 nations, proliferating its trade partnerships across five continents.
In 2024, China’s total foreign trade surpassed 43 trillion yuan for the first time, maintaining its position as the world’s largest trader in goods for the eighth consecutive year.
The UAE recorded a new high in its foreign trade volume, with trade between China and the UAE exceeding $100 billion this year, marking China as the UAE's largest trading partner for the eleventh consecutive year.
The relationship between China and the UAE also underscores mutual support for development and global stability.
Since the initiation of the Global Development Initiative by President Xi in 2021, substantial progress has been achieved, benefiting numerous developing nations.
China has established a $4 billion fund to support global development and South-South cooperation, realizing over 200 developmental projects.
Regarding the Palestinian issue, China has provided four tranches of emergency humanitarian assistance since October 2023 and announced an additional 500 million yuan to support relief and reconstruction efforts in Gaza in May 2024. Furthermore, humanitarian aid worth 25 million yuan was allocated through the fund.
Conversely, the UAE celebrates Zayed Humanitarian Day and has launched the 'Waqqf Al-Ab' campaign in Dubai, demonstrating the UAE’s commitment to charity and humanitarian efforts.
As some nations are scaling back their foreign assistance, China and the UAE are committed to delivering equitable and sustainable development opportunities to developing countries, creating a driving force for shared progress among global South nations.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the Global Anti-Fascist War.
Additionally, China will host the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Tianjin in the upcoming fall, serving as the rotating presidency of the organization.
Furthermore, a second meeting of international leaders focusing on equality and women's empowerment is planned for Beijing in the second half of 2025, following the first such meeting there in 1995.
This annual event, part of the dual sessions known as the 'Two Meetings', serves as a critical window for understanding China's comprehensive political process, allowing key partners like the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to gain insights into future planning in China.
China and the UAE are aligned in a development strategy emphasizing economic prosperity and quality of life.
According to the Chinese government's work report for 2024, China's GDP reached 134.9 trillion yuan, reflecting a 5% increase and maintaining a significant contribution of around 30% to global economic growth.
This year, China created 12.56 million new urban jobs and saw a 5.1% real increase in per capita disposable income, demonstrating improvements in citizens' living standards.
The government's commitment to ensuring mandatory education, basic old-age insurance, basic medical services, and social welfare is set to continue.
Projections indicate that China's economy may grow by approximately 5% again by 2025, with a focus on enhancing living standards and consumer stimulation through a series of new measures aimed at improving social security and supporting those in need.
Concurrently, the UAE, particularly Dubai, is anticipated to experience rapid GDP growth in 2024, with new initiatives to enhance housing, health care, education, and infrastructure.
In technology and future-oriented strategies, China's research and development spending exceeded 3.6 trillion yuan in 2024, marking an 8% increase.
The nation is home to nearly 500,000 patent-holding firms and has established five new national innovation centers focused on energy storage, precision manufacturing, molecular pharmaceuticals, humanoid robotics, and intelligent robotics.
China's production of electric vehicles surpasses 13 million units, capturing over 60% of global output.
The semiconductor industry reported a record export figure of 1.1 trillion yuan this year.
Chinese advancements in artificial intelligence, exemplified by competitive models like DeepSeek, enhance confidence among the UAE and other countries in AI development.
These technological advancements form a basis for deeper cooperation between China and the UAE.
China and the UAE also adhere to principles of openness and mutual benefit in their foreign relations.
President Xi Jinping reaffirmed China's commitment to widening its openness to global trade and cooperation.
Currently, China is the main trading partner for over 150 countries and regions and has signed 23 free trade agreements with 30 nations, proliferating its trade partnerships across five continents.
In 2024, China’s total foreign trade surpassed 43 trillion yuan for the first time, maintaining its position as the world’s largest trader in goods for the eighth consecutive year.
The UAE recorded a new high in its foreign trade volume, with trade between China and the UAE exceeding $100 billion this year, marking China as the UAE's largest trading partner for the eleventh consecutive year.
The relationship between China and the UAE also underscores mutual support for development and global stability.
Since the initiation of the Global Development Initiative by President Xi in 2021, substantial progress has been achieved, benefiting numerous developing nations.
China has established a $4 billion fund to support global development and South-South cooperation, realizing over 200 developmental projects.
Regarding the Palestinian issue, China has provided four tranches of emergency humanitarian assistance since October 2023 and announced an additional 500 million yuan to support relief and reconstruction efforts in Gaza in May 2024. Furthermore, humanitarian aid worth 25 million yuan was allocated through the fund.
Conversely, the UAE celebrates Zayed Humanitarian Day and has launched the 'Waqqf Al-Ab' campaign in Dubai, demonstrating the UAE’s commitment to charity and humanitarian efforts.
As some nations are scaling back their foreign assistance, China and the UAE are committed to delivering equitable and sustainable development opportunities to developing countries, creating a driving force for shared progress among global South nations.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the Global Anti-Fascist War.
Additionally, China will host the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Tianjin in the upcoming fall, serving as the rotating presidency of the organization.
Furthermore, a second meeting of international leaders focusing on equality and women's empowerment is planned for Beijing in the second half of 2025, following the first such meeting there in 1995.
