The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday that China and the UAE have confirmed their readiness to exchange experiences in defense and security to enhance the capabilities of their military and security institutions. China mentioned that both sides value their defense, military, and security cooperation and coordination, along with increasing exchanges of visits between their armies, as well as mutual participation in training, exhibitions, and official activities.
This came in a joint statement following a bilateral meeting between UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday. The Chinese armed forces conducted their first air force exercises with the UAE in China last August, which is largely seen as an effort by Beijing to increase its influence in the Gulf region in the face of the United States. Last year, China also signed an agreement to export combat aircraft to the UAE.
In the energy sector, the two countries agreed to explore cooperation regarding crude oil reserves and to encourage and support Chinese and Emirati companies to enhance coordination in areas of renewable energy, oil, natural gas, petrochemicals, and strategic reserves of oil, hydrogen, and ammonia. Both nations are also looking to explore joint projects in nuclear energy, including building plants and further research and development.
