Deepening Strategic Partnership: UAE Engages in 'Invest in China: Guangxi' Event with China
UAE-China Economic Partnership Strengthens with New Collaborative Efforts
The economic partnership between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and China is growing stronger, as evidenced by the recent "Invest in China: Guangxi" session held at the AIM Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi. This session, organised in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and the Government of Guangxi, brought together senior officials, business leaders, and global investors to discuss the future of UAE-China relations.
Key points from the session included remarks by Raad Al-Saady of ACWA Power and Hussain Al Hammadi, UAE Ambassador to China, reiterating the growing synergy between the two nations. Raad Al-Saady underscored the importance of the UAE as a hub for Chinese businesses in the Arab world, while Al Hammadi emphasized the expanding cooperation between the UAE and China.
The session also marked a significant milestone in UAE-China relations, with the Guangxi Pilot Free Trade Zone officially welcomed into the World Free Zones Organization's network. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed, focusing on trade, research, and innovation between the Guangxi Pilot Free Trade Zone and the World Free Zones Organization.
The UAE-China partnership is marked by rapid growth, deepening trade and investment linkages, and a strategic push toward formalizing this relationship through comprehensive partnership agreements and Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). The UAE serves as the primary hub for Chinese businesses in the Arab world, hosting thousands of Chinese brands and trade agencies, and functioning as a vital re-export gateway for Chinese goods to the Middle East and North Africa region.
Economic experts and business leaders have proposed that the UAE and China pursue a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement as a foundational step toward a full FTA. This approach is seen as transformational, potentially strengthening GCC-China trade links with the UAE positioned as a regional leader in these negotiations. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), where the UAE is a dialogue partner since 2023, is a critical platform fostering this cooperation.
Beyond traditional trade, cooperation extends into energy—including fossil fuels and renewables—finance, artificial intelligence, fintech, smart governance, and technology. These sectors were emphasized at SCO-related events and are reflected in sessions like "Invest in China: Guangxi" at the AIM Congress, which spotlight investment opportunities in Chinese regions and reinforce bilateral ties through innovation and infrastructure collaboration.
The UAE plays a pivotal role in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) due to its strategic location and ease of doing business. Chinese investment in physical and digital infrastructure in the UAE supports enhanced economic connectivity, potentially overcoming longstanding integration barriers in the Middle East. The BRI was highlighted by Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy, as a key driver of global connectivity and shared growth.
Guangxi's geographic advantage was noted by Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri as a vital link to Southeast Asia. Lan Tianli, Governor of Guangxi, lauded the UAE's leadership in fostering international economic collaboration, while Khaled Al Fahim of Abu Dhabi Chamber made remarks during the session, emphasizing the growing synergy between the UAE and China.
The event underscored the shared ambitions of both nations for sustainable, inclusive growth. Over 15,500 Chinese companies are present across UAE free zones, demonstrating the strong economic ties between the two countries. The UAE Minister of Economy, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, praised the UAE-China relationship, and Lan Tianli stressed Guangxi's intent to strengthen cooperation in trade, infrastructure, and investment.
In conclusion, the "Invest in China: Guangxi" session at the AIM Congress 2025 underscores the forward-looking engagement between the UAE and China, situated within broader SCO cooperation and the Belt and Road framework, with a strong emphasis on innovation, diversified sectors, and infrastructure connectivity. This momentum is expected to continue, strengthening the economic partnership between the UAE and China.
- The UAE and China are aggressively pursuing a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement as a stepping stone towards a full Free Trade Agreement (FTA), with the UAE serving as a regional leader in these negotiations.
- The UAE and China's economic partnership extends beyond traditional trade, encompassing collaboration in sectors like energy, finance, artificial intelligence, fintech, smart governance, and technology.
- Chinese investment in the UAE, particularly in physical and digital infrastructure, supports enhanced economic connectivity and potentially overcomes longstanding integration barriers in the Middle East.
- The UAE-China economic relationship is leveraged by both nations for sustainable and inclusive growth, as evidenced by the 15,500 Chinese companies present across UAE free zones.
- Guangxi's strategic location provides a vital link to Southeast Asia, positioning it as an important partner for the UAE in fostering international economic collaboration within the broader SCO cooperation and the Belt and Road framework.
