UAE ready to be gateway to better ties of China, Arab world

DUBAI, Feb. 15  (Xinhua) — The United Arab Emirates (UAE) would like to serve as the gateway to better ties between China and the countries in the Gulf region and the Arab world, a senior UAE official said on Saturday.

UAE Vice President Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum made the remarks while meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Dubai.

Mohammed, also Dubai ruler and UAE prime minister, said his country highly values its relations with Beijing, adding that it welcomes more investment and travelers from China.

He also said the UAE is ready to join China in carrying out the Belt and Road initiatives.

The Belt and Road Initiatives were put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his overseas visits in 2013, which includes the Silk Road Economic Belt — from China via Central Asia and Russia to Europe, and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road — through the Strait of Malacca to India, the Middle East and East Africa.

The UAE leader also noted that the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) would benefit the development of regional countries, and accord with the interests of all sides.