China-UAE conference in Beijing targets deeper economic ties

China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed 24 memorandums of understanding on Monday, as the two nations seek to build on record bilateral trade.

The agreements were signed at the UAE-China Business Promotion Conference, themed "From Vision to Value," which gathered ministers, senior officials and business leaders from both countries to explore new avenues for cooperation, investment and innovation.

The conference was held on the sidelines of the official visit by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi, who is leading a high-level delegation to China.

Attendees pose for a group photo at the UAE-China Business Promotion Conference in Beijing, April 13, 2026. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

The 24 memorandums are intended to bolster bilateral economic, trade and investment relations.

In his opening remarks, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the UAE's minister of foreign trade, underscored the significance of the conference in strengthening bilateral cooperation and unlocking new opportunities for growth.

"The UAE and China share a longstanding economic partnership, built on decades of cooperation and a shared vision for prosperity," Al Zeyoudi said. "Non-oil trade between our nations surpassed the $100 billion mark for the first time in 2025, achieving a record annual growth of 24.5% to reach $111.5 billion. We will continue to work closely across key sectors to promote sustainable economic outcomes that serve the interests of both nations."

According to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade, China remains the UAE's largest trading partner, accounting for around 11% of the UAE's total non-oil trade. It ranks first in imports and 11th in non-oil exports from the UAE.

The UAE is also China's leading trading partner in the Middle East and Africa, contributing more than 20% of China's non-oil trade with the region over the past decade, and its largest partner in the Arab world in non-oil commodities, accounting for approximately one-third of the total.

The conference was co-hosted by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade and China's Ministry of Commerce, and co-organized by the UAE Embassy in Beijing and the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products.