Mohammed hails Chinese firms' efforts in UAE
Wam - 18 January 2012 - DUBAI
His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said on Monday that Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao's visit to the UAE is a "historic milestone that reflects the deep-rooted ties between the leadership and peoples of the two countries."
Shaikh Mohammed and Wen Jiabao viewing a model of the Dh2 billion The Phoenix project in Dubai on Tuesday.
Talking to the Chinese prime minister after receiving him at the Zaabeel Palace, Shaikh Mohammed praised the efforts of the Chinese companies based in the UAE, including Dubai's Phoenix City, as well as members of the Chinese community who are actively contributing to the development and progress of the UAE.
For his part, Wen Jiabao said he was pleased to visit the UAE and meet the officials here. He added that his country attaches great importance to its relations with the UAE, which are based on mutual respect and the desire to build a true strategic partnership.
He referred to his tour of the Dragon Mart in Dubai where he met scores of members of the Chinese community and urged them to appreciate the hospitable, secure and tolerable environment in the UAE and to make use of the facilities offered here to further boost trade and economic cooperation between the UAE and China.
Shaikh Mohammed and Wen Jiabao attended a signing ceremony of a visa waiver Memorandum of Understanding under which holders of diplomatic and special passports are exempted from visa requirements to enter the two countries. The MoU was signed by UAE Foreign Minister Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi. They also signed a second MoU on cooperation in the field of sports.
Shaikh Mohammed and Wen Jiabao viewed a model of the ambitious Dh2 billion The Phoenix development, a Chinese commercial centre which entails an integrated residential complex, a five-star hotel, a commercial zone and world-class service facilities.
Deputy Ruler of Dubai Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation and Chairman of Emirates Group; Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs; Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, Minister of State for Financial Affairs; Reem Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State and Head of the honorary mission accompanying the Chinese premier; Omar Ahmed Nassib Al Bitar, UAE Ambassador to China and senior officials were also present on the occasion.
Source: http://www.khaleejtimes.com