The United Arab Emirates and China’s Guangdong Province enjoy close and growing ties, supported by the strategic and economic relations between the UAE and the People’s Republic of China. Cooperation spans trade, investment, industry, science and technology, and smart infrastructure, as well as partnerships between cities and the exchange of expertise in urban development and innovation. Friendship city partnerships have been an important avenue for strengthening these ties. This cooperation began in 2012 with the establishment of a partnership between Dubai and Guangzhou, enhancing direct engagement and expanding cooperation at the local level.
In 2018, a Dubai Government delegation led by H.E. Abdulla Al Basti, Secretary General of The Executive Council of Dubai, visited Shenzhen. The visit saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a framework for exchanges and cooperation between the two cities. Engagement continued in 2019 through reciprocal visits, including a visit to the UAE by a Shenzhen Government delegation led by Mr. Wang Weizhong, then Secretary of the Communist Party of China Shenzhen Municipal Committee. Dubai Government delegations led by H.E. Abdulla Al Basti and H.E. Dawood Al Hajri, then Director General of Dubai Municipality, also visited Shenzhen, strengthening the exchange of expertise and coordination between the relevant entities on both sides.
Friendship city partnerships also expanded to include Abu Dhabi and Guangzhou. In 2020, a Guangzhou Government delegation led by Mr. Wen Guohui, then Mayor of Guangzhou, visited the UAE. The visit marked an important milestone with the signing of an MoU to establish a framework for exchanges and cooperation between the two cities.
Abu Dhabi’s ties with Shenzhen gained further momentum in 2023 and 2024 through visits by official delegations led by H.E. Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport in Abu Dhabi. These efforts culminated in the signing of an MoU in 2024, providing an institutional framework to strengthen cooperation and facilitate the exchange of expertise between the two cities.
In the same year, cooperation expanded to include Ras Al Khaimah. Visits to Guangdong Province by His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, marked a significant milestone in advancing ties. His Highness’s visits included Dongguan and Shenzhen. An MoU was also signed to strengthen exchanges and cooperation between Ras Al Khaimah and Guangdong Province, creating further opportunities for economic and investment partnerships and closer institutional ties.
Official visits continued in 2025. An Abu Dhabi Government delegation led by H.E. Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, visited Shenzhen, as did a Dubai Government delegation led by H.E. Khalfan Juma Belhoul, Chief Executive Officer of the Dubai Future Foundation. These visits reflect growing interest in exchanging expertise and exploring new opportunities for cooperation, particularly in economic development, innovation, technology, and industries of the future.
In 2018, a Dubai Government delegation led by H.E. Abdulla Al Basti, Secretary General of The Executive Council of Dubai, visited Shenzhen. The visit saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a framework for exchanges and cooperation between the two cities. Engagement continued in 2019 through reciprocal visits, including a visit to the UAE by a Shenzhen Government delegation led by Mr. Wang Weizhong, then Secretary of the Communist Party of China Shenzhen Municipal Committee. Dubai Government delegations led by H.E. Abdulla Al Basti and H.E. Dawood Al Hajri, then Director General of Dubai Municipality, also visited Shenzhen, strengthening the exchange of expertise and coordination between the relevant entities on both sides.
Friendship city partnerships also expanded to include Abu Dhabi and Guangzhou. In 2020, a Guangzhou Government delegation led by Mr. Wen Guohui, then Mayor of Guangzhou, visited the UAE. The visit marked an important milestone with the signing of an MoU to establish a framework for exchanges and cooperation between the two cities.
Abu Dhabi’s ties with Shenzhen gained further momentum in 2023 and 2024 through visits by official delegations led by H.E. Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport in Abu Dhabi. These efforts culminated in the signing of an MoU in 2024, providing an institutional framework to strengthen cooperation and facilitate the exchange of expertise between the two cities.
In the same year, cooperation expanded to include Ras Al Khaimah. Visits to Guangdong Province by His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, marked a significant milestone in advancing ties. His Highness’s visits included Dongguan and Shenzhen. An MoU was also signed to strengthen exchanges and cooperation between Ras Al Khaimah and Guangdong Province, creating further opportunities for economic and investment partnerships and closer institutional ties.
Official visits continued in 2025. An Abu Dhabi Government delegation led by H.E. Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, visited Shenzhen, as did a Dubai Government delegation led by H.E. Khalfan Juma Belhoul, Chief Executive Officer of the Dubai Future Foundation. These visits reflect growing interest in exchanging expertise and exploring new opportunities for cooperation, particularly in economic development, innovation, technology, and industries of the future.
