China’s Wang Yi urges UAE to help close free-trade deal with Gulf Cooperation Council
Chinese foreign minister is on a three-nation Middle East tour and met Emirati counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Friday
Wang met his Emirati counterpart in Abu Dhabi on Friday, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on its website.
He told Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan that China supported the UAE’s “measures to safeguard national security and development” and its “increased role in international and regional affairs”, Saturday’s ministry statement said.
Wang also called for both nations to “deepen cooperation in traditional fields such as investment, oil and gas, and infrastructure, while exploring new areas including renewable energy and technological innovation”.
Additionally, he expressed hope that the UAE would help in advancing negotiations for an early conclusion of the China-GCC free-trade agreement.
Al Nahyan, who is also deputy prime minister of the UAE, said in response that his country was “willing to play a positive role” in the matter.