Bilateral Relations
- Diplomatic relations between the UAE and China were established in November 1984. The Chinese Embassy in Abu Dhabi was opened in April 1985, followed by the establishment of the General Consulate in Dubai in November 1988.
- The UAE Embassy opened in Beijing on March 19, 1987. Additionally, three UAE general consulates were established in Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and Shanghai, in April 2000, July 2009, and June 2016, respectively.
- The historic visit of His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, President of the UAE (may God rest his soul) to China on May 6, 1990, is considered as one of the most significant visits by a UAE officials to China, resulting in the signing of many agreements.
- Numerous official visits have been exchanged between the two countries at various levels, including presidents, heads of government, ministers, governors, and parliaments leaders. The most prominent high official visit was in 2019 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who was then the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces to China, during which the two sides celebrated the 35th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations.
- In the same year, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai also visited China to attend the Belt & Road Forum.
- On the Chinese side, the visit of former Premier Wen Jiabao to the UAE in January 2012 was significant, resulting in the declaration of a strategic partnership between the two countries. The most recent notable visit was by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the UAE in 2018, during which the comprehensive strategic partnership was signed, marking the highest level of diplomatic relations.
- The UAE’s policy is based on the principles of peace, tolerance, openness, and dialogue with other cultures and building bridges of communication and cooperation with the international community to enhance security, stability, and sustainable economic development worldwide.
- The UAE-China relationship exemplifies strong bilateral ties based on mutual respect and trust. China supports the UAE’s policies and measures to respect its sovereignty and territorial integrity, while the UAE supports the One-China policy.
Both countries adhere to the principles of sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations, resolving contentious issues through peaceful means.
Economic Cooperation
- Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the UAE and the People's Republic of China, the volume of non-oil trade has nearly doubled, reaching an estimated 58 billion USD in 2018. Trade between the two countries is expected to reach 200 billion USD by 2030.
- The UAE is the largest incubator for Chinese businesses in the Arab world, with 6,591 Chinese brands registered in the UAE and more than 327 trade agencies. Cooperation between the two countries spans many areas, including energy, logistics, finance, agriculture, technology and artificial intelligence, tourism, space and satellites, and manufacturing.
- The UAE is China's largest partner in the Arab region, with about 60% of Chinese trade being re-exported through UAE ports to more than 400 cities in the Middle East and North Africa, making it one of China’s most important strategic trade destination.
- The UAE plays a pivotal role in the Belt and Road Initiative for International Cooperation launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, due to its competitive business environment, infrastructure, and geographical location, that have enhanced cooperation between the two countries.
- In 2018, the number of Chinese tourists visiting the United Arab Emirates exceeded 1 million, and this number was expected to reach 2 million by 2023.
Cultural Cooperation
- The UAE-China relations have reached its peak across various domains in recent years, including cultural ties.
- During the Chinese president’s visit to the UAE in 2018, 13 agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed, including cooperation in culture. This led to the establishment of a Chinese cultural center in the UAE and a UAE cultural center in China. Currently, efforts are underway to establish the Chinese Cultural Center in the Emirates.
- It is noteworthy that within the comprehensive strategic partnership connecting the UAE and China, cultural collaboration stands out as a vital component, alongside economic and commercial cooperation.
- Numerous governmental and private entities in both countries are actively engaged in promoting and disseminating each other’s cultural heritage.
- The Emirati and Chinese leaderships are committed to bolstering public cultural and diplomatic ties between their peoples.
- The UAE’s vibrant celebration of the Chinese Spring Festival annually, along with the active participation of the Chinese community in the Emirates’ major festivities, underscores the depth of cultural exchange.
- Moreover, educational ties between the two countries are expanding significantly, serving as a crucial pillar of their cultural relations. There has been a notable surge in student exchanges and cooperation between universities and educational organizations, aimed at sharing expertise between the two countries. This trend is particularly pronounced given the UAE’s integral role as a partner in the Belt and Road Initiative, championed by Chinese President Xi Jinping. This initiative emphasizes not only economic cooperation but also cultural and civilizational integration among participating countries.
Obtaining Certificate of Police Clearance from the UAE
- The Embassy is not authorized or provided with the facility to issue UAE Certificate of Police Clearance. The certificate can only be obtained by application through the websites of Dubai Police or the Ministry of Interior in the UAE.
- For more information pertaining to Police Clearance certificate, kindly contact the Consulate Department of the UAE Embassy.
UAE Tourism
This interactive page provides Emirati travelers with personalized travel guidance and essential entry requirements based on their selected destination. Through a user-friendly map interface, travelers can quickly access important information, understand destination-specific regulations and requirements, and prepare confidently for their international journey.
- View destination-specific visa and entry requirements.
- Access the latest travel guidance and important alerts.
- Review passport, health, and required documentation requirements.
- Prepare for international travel using reliable and relevant guidance.
This interactive page provides non-UAE citizens with clear and accessible information about visa requirements for entering the United Arab Emirates. Users can search for their country or nationality and quickly determine whether they are eligible for visa-free entry or are required to obtain a visa before travelling, helping them plan their visit and complete the necessary arrangements in advance.
- Search for visa information by country or nationality.
- Check whether entry to the UAE is visa-free or requires a visa.
- View country-specific visa eligibility information.
- Prepare the required travel and visa arrangements before departure.
