On the morning of April 14, President Xi Jinping met with Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, who is on a visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

President Xi Jinping noted that the UAE is China’s comprehensive strategic partner, and China always attaches high importance to growing this bilateral relationship. With the concerted efforts of both sides, China and the UAE have maintained sound and stable development of bilateral relations, kept deepening mutual political trust, steadily advanced practical cooperation, and enjoyed vibrant people-to-people exchanges. To cement and elevate China-UAE relations is the firm commitment of both sides and meets the aspiration of both peoples. China stands ready to work with the UAE toward a more solid, resilient and dynamic China-UAE comprehensive strategic partnership. Our two countries should continue to provide mutual support on issues concerning each other’s core interests and major concerns, maintain high-level exchanges and strengthen strategic mutual trust. We should enhance synergy between development strategies, tap into the potential and deepen win-win cooperation in such areas as energy, investment, trade, science and technology. We should strive for greater progress in education, civil aviation and tourism to foster closer people-to-people exchanges and strengthen popular support. We should enhance coordination and cooperation in multilateral platforms such as the U.N. and BRICS, counter international and regional uncertainties with a stable China-UAE relationship, and jointly build a community with a shared future for humanity.

The two sides exchanged views on the current situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region. President Xi Jinping stressed China’s principled position of promoting peace and facilitating talks, and reiterated China’s readiness to continue playing a constructive role in this regard. 

President Xi Jinping made four propositions on safeguarding and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East. First, stay committed to the principle of peaceful co-existence. The Gulf states in the Middle East are close neighbors that cannot move away. It’s important to support the Gulf states in improving their ties, work to build a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security architecture of the Middle East and the Gulf region, and consolidate the foundation for peaceful co-existence. Second, stay committed to the principle of national sovereignty. Sovereignty serves as a foundation for all countries, especially developing countries, to survive and thrive, and it must not be violated. The sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the Gulf states should be earnestly respected, and the safety of their personnel, facilities and institutions vigorously safeguarded. Third, stay committed to the principle of international rule of law. We should safeguard the authority of international rule of law, reject selective application, and prevent the world from returning to the law of the jungle. It is important to firmly uphold the international system with the U.N. at its core, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms governing international relations underpinned by purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter. Fourth, stay committed to a balanced approach to development and security. Security is a prerequisite for development, and development serves as a safeguard of security. All sides should work to create a sound environment for and bring positive energy to the development of the Gulf states. China stands ready to share with the Gulf countries the opportunities through Chinese modernization, and work with them to nurture a fertile ground for regional development and security.

Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan noted that the China-UAE relationship is long-standing and built on deep roots. The two countries have always respected and trusted each other, and shared extensive common interests. The UAE attaches great importance to growing its ties with China, and stands ready to work with China to implement the important common understandings reached between the two heads of state and deepen cooperation in various fields, so as to open up a broader prospect for the bilateral relations and deliver tangible benefits to both peoples. The UAE commends China’s responsible and constructive role in international affairs, and China’s efforts on promoting political settlement of the crisis taking place in the Middle East. The UAE is committed to staying in close communication and coordination with China to facilitate ceasefire between the relevant sides, restore peace and stability in the region as soon as possible, maintain international shipping security, and prevent further impact on the global economy and energy security. The UAE will earnestly protect the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions in its territory.

Wang Yi was present at the meeting.