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40 Years of Strategic Partnership: UAE-China Relations

The relationship between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and China stands as a unique and exemplary model within international relations. Driven by a shared vision of sustainable partnership development, both nations share vast potential for growth and promising prospects grounded in a strong historical foundation of mutual respect and common interests.

A Long-Standing Partnership

The UAE and China enjoy a close friendship built upon strong economic, cultural, and historical ties. Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1984, both countries have made significant efforts to strengthen their partnership, evidenced by the signing of over 148 bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding across various fields.

The relationship between the two nations is deeply rooted in history. The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's visit to China in May 1990 marked the first visit by a Gulf leader to the country, following the late Chinese President Yang Shangkun's visit to the UAE in December 1989. These visits were instrumental in laying the groundwork for the strong relationship we see today.

A Flourishing Partnership

The UAE-China relationship has witnessed remarkable progress across all fronts: economic, commercial, cultural, political, and diplomatic. This growth accelerated until reaching the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership, announced in July 2018 during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the UAE.

This partnership serves as a model for constructive bilateral relations on the international stage. The UAE is China's largest non-oil trading partner in the Arab region, while China is the UAE's top trading partner with a total trade value of $82 billion in 2023. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the volume of trade between the two countries has increased by 800 times, and the target is to reach $200 billion by 2030.

Key Economic Indicators

• China holds the top spot in the UAE's import market, accounting for 18% of total imports.
• China ranks 11th in the UAE's non-oil exports, contributing 2.4% of the total, and 8th in re-exports, contributing 4%.
• Excluding crude oil from China's trade with Arab countries in 2023, the UAE becomes the first Arab trading partner, representing 30% of total trade.

Investment and Growth

Total Emirati investment flows to China amounted to approximately $11.9 billion between 2003 and 2023, while Chinese investment flows to the UAE reached $7.7 billion during the same period. Key sectors for Emirati investments in China include communications, renewable energy, transport and storage, hotels and tourism, and rubber. The number of Emirati companies operating in the Chinese market exceeds 55.

Tourism and Education

Tourism is a key sector driving shared economic growth between the UAE and China. The number of Chinese tourists visiting the UAE reached over one million in the first ten months of 2023, and the number of Chinese residents in the UAE is around 350,000.

Education has also witnessed a significant increase in the number of Emirati students studying in China. The “President's Scholarship Program for Academically Excellent Students” has seen a remarkable increase in the number of students pursuing higher education in China, reflecting the depth of the strategic relationship and vital interests shared between the two countries. This initiative aims to support higher education and develop national capabilities. The number of students sponsored for academic excellence in China has risen from 5 in 2023 to 70 by mid-September of this year, pursuing undergraduate and master's degrees in various specializations at leading Chinese universities. Plans are underway to increase this number to 300 students over the coming years.