The United Arab Emirates (UAE) participated as the guest of honor at the seventh edition of the China-Arab States Expo, held in Yinchuan, China, from August 28 to 31. This year’s theme was “Focusing on Economic Development and Enhancing Mutual Cooperation,” where the UAE showcased opportunities for strengthening the UAE-China partnership across several vital sectors, including the new economy, infrastructure, energy, green development, advanced manufacturing, technology, agriculture, food industries, tourism, and small and medium enterprises, among others that are pivotal for sustainable growth in both nations.
The UAE delegation included His Excellency Hussein Al Hamadi, the UAE Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, Abdullah Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, and over 50 representatives from 17 governmental and private entities. The UAE led the event by hosting the largest national pavilion, which served as a comprehensive platform to inform participants about the elements of the UAE’s business environment and the competitive advantages of its strategic location within the Middle East and Asia. The pavilion featured a wide range of leading UAE entities and companies.
In his speech at the expo, Abdullah Al Saleh emphasized the deep-seated historical and strategic relations between the UAE and the People’s Republic of China, along with a distinguished economic partnership across all sectors. This bond is supported by the visionary outlook of both countries’ leadership, along with their shared commitment to advancing this relationship towards greater heights, meeting the aspirations of both nations and their people for sustainable economic development.
He stated, “UAE’s participation as a guest of honor at the expo reaffirms the growing momentum of economic and trade collaboration between our two nations. We view this event as a key strategic platform that enhances economic, investment, and trade partnerships between the UAE and China and strengthens communication between the business communities of both countries. Furthermore, it reinforces frameworks for cooperation between Arab nations and China as a whole, representing a continuation of the long-standing cultural connections between Arab and Chinese peoples, whose rich civilizations are linked through significant historical moments along the Silk Road, facilitating centuries of commercial and cultural exchanges that have built strong bridges of trust and collaboration.”
He also added, “The economic and investment relations between the UAE and China continue to grow, with China being the UAE’s top global trading partner. Conversely, the UAE stands as China’s leading non-oil trading partner in the Middle East and Africa, serving as a vital gateway for Chinese exports and investments, with over 60% of China’s total exports to the region transiting through the UAE. This highlights the depth of economic cooperation and integration between our two countries and emphasizes the strategic importance of bilateral relations in supporting sustainable economic development and mutual investment opportunities.”
Hussein Al Hamadi affirmed that the UAE’s participation in this year’s expo as a guest of honor illustrates the profound historical and strategic connections and solid friendship between the UAE and the People’s Republic of China. He noted that this opportunity allowed the UAE to showcase its pioneering developmental achievements and present promising investment and economic prospects across various sectors, while also fostering collaboration in areas such as technology, energy, renewable energy, modern agriculture, and innovation. He extended gratitude to the Government of the People’s Republic of China for the kind invitation, expressing hope that this participation would strengthen the bridges of cooperation and friendship, fulfilling people’s aspirations for further progress and prosperity.
Furthermore, the UAE delegation attended the UAE-China Business Forum during their visit to China. This forum aimed to enhance cooperation between the two countries in various areas of mutual interest, expand investment and trade partnerships, share best practices, and support communication channels between the business communities of both nations. Over 200 prominent figures from both sides participated in this forum, including government officials, company leaders, and investors.
In 2024, trade exchange between the UAE and China reached approximately $90 billion in non-oil trade, witnessing a growth of 15.6% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year, amounting to nearly $50 billion.
Regarding investments, UAE investments in China experienced a remarkable surge in 2023, rising by 95% compared to 2022, totaling $4.5 billion. China ranks as the third-largest source of foreign direct investment in the UAE with investments amounting to $9 billion by the end of 2023.
In 2024, the UAE welcomed over one million Chinese tourists, showcasing its status as a preferred destination for Chinese travelers. Furthermore, there is continuous growth in flight operations between the two nations, with over 110 direct flights weekly.