The fourth edition of the Global Digital Trade Exhibition commenced yesterday in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, Eastern China. The event saw high-level participation from the UAE as the official guest of honor, alongside Indonesia.
Notable attendees at the opening ceremony included H.E. Hussein Al Hammadi, the UAE Ambassador to China, Abdullah Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, leading the UAE delegation, and Mohannad Suleiman Al Naqbi, the Consul General in Shanghai.
Also present were Abdullah Al Neyami, the Commercial Attaché at the UAE Embassy in China, and various officials from the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, as well as representatives from government and private sectors along with national companies participating in the exhibition. The event, hosted at the Hangzhou International Conference and Exhibition Center, will run until September 29.
In his speech during the opening, Abdullah Al Saleh emphasized the significance of the exhibition in fostering international collaboration, commending the organization and warm reception. He expressed deep appreciation to the government of the People’s Republic of China for extending the invitation to the UAE to participate as a ‘guest of honor.’
He pointed out the unprecedented growth in the relations between the UAE and China over the past four decades, leading the UAE to become China’s primary trading partner in non-oil trade within the Middle East and Africa, serving as a critical conduit for over 60% of China’s trade with the region.
Furthermore, he noted that China currently stands as the UAE’s largest global trading partner, exemplifying the profound depth of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations.
Al Saleh highlighted the UAE’s significant progress in digital transformation, adopting ambitious national strategies such as the UAE Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031 and the Digital Economy Strategy 2031, which aim to establish the nation as a global hub for the digital economy.
He also mentioned that the UAE was the first country globally to appoint a Minister of Artificial Intelligence in 2017, reflecting the nation’s proactive vision and commitment to integrating AI technologies into its governmental and economic framework.
Al Saleh stated that the UAE ranks tenth globally as the largest destination for foreign direct investment flows, with inflows amounting to $45.6 billion in 2024, according to the UN Conference on Trade and Development’s World Investment Report 2025. He highlighted that Chinese investments in the UAE have reached approximately $9 billion.
Furthermore, he indicated that over 16,500 Chinese companies operate in the UAE, with a substantial portion in this vital sector, demonstrating the economic partnership’s robustness and the range of opportunities available for future collaboration.
Wang Dongming, Vice President of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, remarked during the official opening that digital trade has been experiencing continuous and rapid development, becoming a new direction and a primary driver of the economy.
He noted that this exhibition, initiated by President Xi Jinping, aims to bring together diverse nations and has played an important role in knowledge exchange and the development of digital trade over the past three years, contributing to both the Chinese and global economies.
UAE as Guest of Honor
A joint UAE-Chinese delegation officially inaugurated the UAE pavilion at the exhibition, including Hussein Al Hammadi, Abdullah Al Saleh, Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Sheng Qiuping, and Zhejiang Province’s Director General of Trade Zhu Xiangjun.
The opening featured a documentary film highlighting the UAE’s journey, showcasing its leading achievements across a myriad of fields, and reinforcing that the nation is moving confidently toward the future, propelled by its leadership’s vision and the efforts of its citizens. The film also presented a glimpse into the UAE’s rich past and heritage, its developed present, and promising future.
Hussein Al Hammadi, in his address, confirmed that the UAE’s participation in the exhibition aligns with its strategic vision, noting that this year, the UAE pavilion features ten exhibitors from leading institutions and companies, showcasing the latest solutions and services in digital economy, e-commerce, and innovative technologies.
He announced that the UAE delegation at the exhibition comprises around 80 participants from various vital sectors, reflecting the country’s commitment to enhancing international partnerships in the digital economy.
Al Hammadi expressed confidence that the UAE’s participation will open new avenues for cooperation between the two friendly nations, positively impacting their shared development efforts and creating promising opportunities for investment and knowledge exchange.
Discussion on Dialogue 2025
Additionally, Hussein Al Hammadi participated in the ‘Dialogue 2025 on Special Economic Zones of BRICS Countries,’ held yesterday on the sidelines of the exhibition.
In his remarks during the dialogue, he stressed that the meeting comes at a crucial time, given the rapid transformations in the global economy and the increasingly vital role of special economic zones in supporting trade, investment, and innovation.
He remarked that this dialogue serves as an effective platform for sharing successful experiences, exploring integration opportunities between free zones in BRICS countries, and building new cooperation networks to enhance digital trade and broaden innovation horizons.
Al Hammadi stated, “The UAE is fully prepared to share its leading expertise in developing special economic zones, which have proven to be key drivers of sustainable economic growth.”
He noted that the UAE hosts over 40 specialized free zones, allowing 100% foreign ownership and providing advanced infrastructure and flexible regulations that promote innovation and digital transformation while maintaining strong commercial and logistical connections worldwide through a vast network of ports exceeding 400 globally, reinforcing its status as a key hub in global supply and distribution chains.
Hussein Al Hammadi
The UAE is a strategic partner in developing special economic zones and enhancing digital trade.
Abdullah Al Saleh
China is the UAE’s primary global trading partner.