Natural partners on Belt and Road

President Xi Jinping's recent visit to the United Arab Emirates, the first visit by a Chinese head of state to the Arab country in 29 years, enhanced the level of pragmatic cooperation between the two countries to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Broad consensuses were reached on bilateral cooperation in nine areas, which will strengthen the long-term economic, cultural, trade and investment ties between the two countries.

The UAE was the first Gulf state to establish a strategic partnership with China, and their fruitful cooperation in energy, finance, production capacity and high technology over the past decades has provided the necessary political mutual trust for the two countries to promote the continuous development of bilateral ties to a higher level.

The complementarity of their economies has been increasingly tapped by the cooperation between the UAE and China. Now the broadening and deepening of their cooperation, through a number of important strategic projects and measures, marks the two countries' relations having entered the stage of high-level strategic cooperation.

Xi proposed the two countries build a community with a shared future on the Belt and Road, which is not just an inspiring vision, but also a rich development concept and a viable path that will not only benefit the two countries, but others along the routes as well.

China and the UAE enjoy extensive and close common interests. With practical actions, China has proved itself a good friend, brother and partner to Arab countries. The two countries' decision to set up comprehensive strategic partnership will facilitate their efforts to explore a cooperation path across regions and civilizations and write a new chapter for building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Constantly enhancing the level of pragmatic cooperation between the two countries, and enriching the connotation of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two sides will show that as long as it is the right road, one need not be afraid of the distance.

--PEOPLE'S DAILY