Nahyan bin Mubarak affirms U.A.E.-Chinese strong relations

BEIJING: Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, has underscored the strength and depth of relations between the U.A.E. and China, saying they have seen over 30 years of major developments in various political, economic, educational and cultural fields, leading to the U.A.E. having one of the best external and stable relationships with China. These comments came when Sheikh Nahyan met with representatives of the Chinese News Agency, Xinhua, and a number of other international news agencies on the side-lines of the U.A.E.s participation in the third Arabic Arts Festival, which began yesterday in Beijing, where a forum of Ministers of Culture of China and the Arab World is held on the side-lines with the participation of delegations from Arab countries. Sheikh Nahyan stressed the importance of the distinguished relations between the U.A.E. and the friendly People's Republic of China in various fields and the importance of continuous communication and coordination between the two countries. Sheikh Nahyan said that the current phase of Emirati-Chinese relations are characterised by economic, cultural, educational and political strength, exchanging support and preserving the interests of both countries, as well as ensuring cooperation in various international forums. On the development of bilateral relations between China and the U.A.E. on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the two sides, Sheikh Nahyan emphasised the U.A.E.-Chinese relations, describing the strategic and strong positive development that has grown continuously since in all fields. Sheikh Nahyan referred to the U.A.E. economic, political, cultural and educational relationship being expanded when the U.A.E. established the Sheikh Zayed Centre for Arabic Language at the Beijing University of Foreign Studies, as well as the ongoing exchanges between the two countries in artistic activities. In the interview with Xinhua, Sheikh Nahyan added that the relationship between the U.A.E. and China is considered to be one of the best between stable and developed nations in a positive way, affirming that these relations have, over 30 years, became a model of positive and constructive international cooperation. He praised the strong and close relations between the two countries and the mutual cooperation in development and progress in various fields under the keen interests of the U.A.E. leadership, led by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Sheikh Nahyan affirmed his keen interest in the development of these relations at various levels of culture, sports and technology in a comprehensive manner. The Minister of Culture underscored the Ministry's keenness to send a high-level delegation to attend the Forum of Ministers of Culture between China and the Arab countries, saying that the event is an opportunity for communication and convergence between Chinese and Emirati artists and a chance to acquire insight into different global experiences. He added that the U.A.E. is keen on cooperation and coordination with all countries of the world and has the full conviction that the progress and stability of the world is subject to the achievement of this cooperation, and that successful joint cultural work is the natural approach to achieve this desired cooperation. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak explained that the Ministry of Culture aims in the future to expand its activities related to dialogue between civilisations and cultures, and that the first episode in this dialogue among world cultures aims to open the prospects for mutual understanding and cooperation between China and the Arab and Muslim world in general, and the Gulf region in particular. – Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395269440817.html