On August 14, 2009, Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping held talks with visiting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahayan of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Both sides had an in-depth exchange of views on further advancing China-UAE friendly relations and pragmatic cooperation in all areas, and reached broad consensus.

Xi said bilateral relations have been developing rapidly with fruitful cooperation in all areas, since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the UAE 25 years ago. Both sides have shown mutual political trust to each other, continuously enhanced the level of economic, trade and energy cooperation and kept closer people-to-people exchanges and humanities contacts. They have also maintained mutual understanding and support in international and regional affairs. Xi appreciated the UAE side for its firm support on issues concerning China's core interests, and thanked for the aid offered by the crown prince and the UAE government to China after the 8.0-magnitude quake last year.

Xi said as the two countries enjoy a lot of favorable conditions for mutually beneficial cooperation, both sides should make joint efforts in the following five aspects to build friendly cooperative relations of long-term stability. First, both sides should maintain high-level exchanges, consolidate political trust and deepen mutual understanding, trust and friendship, so as to advance bilateral cooperation in all areas in an all-round manner. Second, to establish China-UAE strategic partnership in the energy field conforms to the long-term interest of both sides. China is ready to cooperate with the UAE on oil and gas field exploration and development, and R&D and utilization of renewable energy. Third, both sides should enhance cooperation in trade, investment and infrastructure construction. Xi urged both sides to further optimize the trade mix, expand the trade scale and encourage more competent businesses to invest in each other. Fourth, both sides should also boost China-UAE cultural and educational cooperation, encourage people-to-people exchanges and deepen the friendship between both peoples. Fifth, the two countries should further push forward the relations between China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and facilitate the China-GCC free trade area negotiation for early consensus.

In response, the crown prince said the high-level delegation headed by him is here in China for in-depth discussions with the Chinese side on deepening mutually beneficial cooperation. It indicates the UAE's sincere wish for furthering bilateral ties. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, their cooperation has made substantial progress in all areas with a firmer basis for bilateral ties. Currently, UAE-China relations are standing at a new historical starting point, he said, adding that UAE hopes to work with China to expand mutually beneficial cooperation on economy, trade and energy, explore educational and cultural exchanges and push forward bilateral ties. The crown prince emphasized that his country firmly backed every measure China took to safeguard national stability and unity. The UAE resolutely adheres to the one-China policy and supports China's cause of reunification, he added.

Following the talks, both sides also witnessed the signing of several cooperative agreements on the establishment of bilateral political consultation mechanism and cultural exchanges. Prior to the talks, Vice President Xi held a welcoming ceremony at the Square outside the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People. Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Chen Changzhi, Vice Chairman Bai Lichen of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Vice Foreign Minister Wang Guangya, Vice Minister of the State Development and Reform Commission and Director General of National Energy Bureau Zhang Guobao and Chinese Ambassador to UAE Gao Yusheng attended the welcoming ceremony.