President Hu Jintao said on Tuesday that China is willing to
make concerted efforts together with the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
to strengthen cooperation in various fields.
Hu, who stopped over in Dubai en route to the Cameroonian
capital of Yaounde for an eight-nation Africa tour, made the
remarks when meeting with UAE Vice President and Prime Minister
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also governor of
Dubai.
During the meeting, Hu said that in recent years, China and the
UAE have witnessed closer cooperation in various fields and
frequent high-level exchanges.
The trade and economic relations between the two sides have
maintained momentum of growth, he said, adding that the cooperation
in energy, investment, aviation, education and other areas has made
progress.
The Chinese government attaches great importance to the
development of China-UAE friendly relationship of cooperation, said
Hu, who is on an eight-nation Africa tour.
"China is willing to join hands with the UAE to enhance mutual
political trust, increase high-level exchanges, deepen trade and
economic cooperation to develop ties with the Gulf Cooperation
Council (GCC), and strengthen cooperation in such fields as
culture, education and health to boost mutual understanding and
friendship between the two peoples," he said.
Hu also called for enhanced coordination and cooperation with
the UAE in regional and global affairs so as to jointly promote
peace, stability and prosperity in the Middle East, the gulf region
and the world at large.
After expressing his agreement with Hu's comment, Sheikh
Mohammed said the development of UAE-China friendly relations is in
accordance with the two sides' common wish and demand, and is also
conducive to safeguarding peace and stability in the Middle East
and the gulf region.
The UAE, which attaches great importance to its ties with China,
will adhere to the one-China policy, continue to enhance mutual
trust with China, exploit potentials in trade and economic
cooperation, and further the all-around growth of bilateral
relations, he said.
(Xinhua News Agency January 31, 2007)
