On August 4, 2023, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone call with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the latter's request.

Wang Yi said the UAE is an important strategic cooperative partner of China in the Middle East. China will continue to support the UAE in pursuing an independent development path, and will work with the UAE to firmly support each other on issues concerning respective core interests, jointly oppose interference by external forces, and safeguard the sovereignty, security and development interests of both countries. China is ready to join hands with the UAE to seek greater synergy between development strategies, boost two-way investment, deliver more high-level cooperation outcomes, and jointly deepen and substantiate China-UAE relations. The two sides should take the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries next year as an opportunity to further consolidate the traditional friendship between the two peoples.

Wang Yi pointed out that both sides should follow through on the important outcomes of the first China-Arab States Summit and the China-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit, strive to conclude the China-GCC free trade agreement at an early date, and promote greater development of China-Arab relations and China-GCC relations. China supports the UAE in hosting the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and stands ready to work with the UAE to strengthen strategic cooperation on the international stage, jointly uphold true multilateralism, oppose unilateralism and bullying practices, safeguard basic norms governing international relations, and defend international fairness and justice.

Abdullah said that China is not only an important economic partner but also a comprehensive strategic partner of the UAE. The UAE cherishes its friendship with China, and stands ready to work with China to seize opportunities to promote further development of UAE-China relations and achieve more cooperation results in bilateral areas and multilateral affairs.