BEIJING: Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and Chinese Premier Li Qiang met in Beijing on April 13 to discuss strengthening the United Arab Emirates-China comprehensive strategic partnership, with the talks centered on trade, investment and cooperation across priority sectors. The meeting formed part of Sheikh Khaled’s official visit to China from April 12 to 14 and underscored the growing scope of bilateral engagement between Abu Dhabi and Beijing.
The discussions focused on expanding economic and development cooperation and moving forward with joint work in sectors identified by both governments as central to long term growth. Officials said the two sides reviewed opportunities linked to supply chain resilience, investment and advanced industries. Sheikh Khaled and Li also witnessed the signing of memorandums of understanding covering clean energy, sustainable agriculture, environmental sustainability, health sciences, investment and advanced technology.
The visit was accompanied by a broad economic and official program in Beijing, including the UAE-China Business Promotion Conference attended by ministers, senior officials, investors and business leaders. Among the UAE government bodies represented in the wider visit was the Ministry of Investment, reflecting the commercial weight of the trip. Officials said the conference produced 24 memorandums of understanding to support bilateral trade and investment, while UAE figures put non-oil trade between the two countries at about $111.5 billion in 2025.
Trade and industry cooperation widens
China’s official account highlighted plans to broaden practical cooperation in energy and industry, with Li saying Beijing was ready to deepen work in energy storage, hydrogen, new energy vehicles and power batteries. The Chinese side also said it wanted to expand cooperation in artificial intelligence, the digital economy, advanced manufacturing and life sciences. As premier, Li spoke on behalf of China’s State Council, which has been central to advancing the country’s economic and trade agenda with the UAE.
The meeting also addressed regional and international developments. The UAE side said the talks emphasized the importance of promoting stability, strengthening coordination in response to shared challenges and supporting peaceful solutions to conflicts in a way that serves global peace and security. China said it was ready to continue playing a constructive role in supporting peace in the Gulf and called for continued measures to protect Chinese citizens, institutions and projects in the region.
Visit extends to top-level engagement
On April 14, Sheikh Khaled also met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, extending the visit beyond the talks with Li and giving the trip an additional layer of senior political engagement. Chinese state media said Xi called for a more robust and dynamic relationship with the UAE, while official Chinese accounts said he outlined a four point proposal on promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, including respect for sovereignty and adherence to international law.
The Beijing meetings highlighted the breadth of a relationship that now spans trade, energy, technology, investment and regional dialogue. With senior UAE officials taking part alongside Chinese leadership and economic authorities, the visit produced a series of confirmed agreements and policy discussions that reinforced the institutional depth of the partnership. The combination of official talks, business meetings and signed memorandums positioned the visit as a significant marker in the continued expansion of UAE-China ties. – By Content Syndication Services.