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Khaleej Times
29-03-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
China and the UAE: Forging shared futures through strategic convergence
In March, as Muslims worldwide observe the blessed month of Ramadan, China welcomes its annual political highlight — the 'Two Sessions' comprising the third session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) and the third session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). Serving as a vital window for the world to observe China's whole-process people's democracy, this year's meetings offer UAE observers not only deeper insights into China's development roadmap but also reveal striking alignment in the two nations' development philosophies and shared values — a convergence that unlocks new opportunities for bilateral cooperation. China and the UAE share development strategies anchored in economic growth and social welfare. According to a report on the work of the Chinese government, China's GDP rose to 134.9 trillion yuan, with a year-on-year increase of five per cent — ranking among the world's fastest-growing major economies and continuing to contribute about 30 per cent to global economic growth. A total of 12.56 million urban jobs were created, disposable income per capita grew by 5.1 per cent in real terms, and greater support was provided for compulsory education, basic old-age insurance, basic medical insurance, and social assistance. For 2025, China projects continued five per cent GDP growth while reorienting economic policy toward social priorities and promoting consumption: A series of new measures have been proposed in social security, assistance to disadvantaged groups, services for the elderly, and reducing the burden of childbirth, upbringing and education on families, highlighting China's adherence to the people-centred development concept. Concurrently, the UAE maintained robust GDP growth in 2024, rolling out citizen-centric initiatives in housing subsidies, healthcare modernisation, education reform, and infrastructure upgrades. Against a backdrop of global economic uncertainty, this strategic parallelism not only elevates living standards domestically but injects much-needed stability into worldwide recovery efforts. China and the UAE demonstrate convergent tech-forward trajectories. In 2024, China's national R&D expenditure surged to 3.6 trillion yuan, an eight per cent real-term growth, supporting nearly 500,000 enterprises holding valid invention patents. Five national innovation hubs were established in frontier fields including next-gen energy storage, micro-nano manufacturing, molecular pharmaceuticals, humanoid robotics, and embodied AI systems — yielding 672 critical technological breakthroughs and incubating 182 startups. New energy vehicle production surpassed 13 million units, capturing over 60 per cent of global output, while integrated circuit exports hit a historic high of 1.1 trillion yuan. The global ascent of Chinese generative AI — epitomized by DeepSeek's cost-efficient models rivaling Western counterparts — has reinvigorated confidence in nations like the UAE pursuing sovereign AI capabilities. China prioritises future industries Looking to 2025, China prioritises future industries from biocomputing to quantum tech, embodied intelligence, and 6G networks. Its 'AI Plus' action plan accelerates high-quality growth through intelligent manufacturing upgrades and industrial ecosystem expansion. Meanwhile, the UAE intensifies its innovation drive — Dubai's D33 Agenda is reshaping its digital economy through blockchain integration and smart city deployments. As technological disruption reshapes global value chains, this dynamic synchronization positions both nations to harness innovation dividends across their development matrices. China and the UAE exemplify a shared commitment to open, mutually beneficial global engagement. President Xi Jinping's declaration — 'China's door will never close — it will only open wider' — resonates through concrete action: the nation now serves as the primary trading partner for over 150 countries and regions, with 23 free trade agreements spanning five continents. In 2024, China's total trade volume surpassed 43 trillion yuan, cementing its eighth consecutive year as the world's top merchandise trader. Foreign investment inflows surged, evidenced by a 9.9 per cent year-on-year increase in newly established foreign-invested enterprises. Visa-free policies — including unilateral visa exemptions for 38 countries and transit visa waivers extended to 240 hours for 54 nations -- further streamline global connectivity. This commitment is mirrored by the UAE's meteoric trade growth. The Emirates' 2024 foreign trade hit record levels, with China-UAE bilateral trade exceeding $100 billion — solidifying China's position as the UAE's top trading partner for 11 consecutive years. Amid global headwinds of protectionism and deglobalization rhetoric, the two nations' synchronized pursuit of institutional openness positions them as the international community's go-to partners. Serving as twin anchors China and the UAE serve as twin anchors underpinning global development and stability. Since President Xi Jinping launched the Global Development Initiative (GDI) in 2021, this framework has delivered tangible results across developing countries. China's $4 billion Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund (GDSSCF) has financed over 200 poverty-alleviation projects. On Palestine, China has dispatched four tranches of emergency humanitarian aid since October 2023. In May 2024, President Xi pledged an additional 500 million yuan for Gaza's reconstruction — complemented by 25 million yuan in food/medical supplies through GDSSCF channels. African partnerships showcase scale: 20 agricultural demonstration centres across 50 countries, 300 agricultural collaborations, 130 hospitals, 170 schools, 40 stadiums and capacity-building programs for 160,000 professionals. Meanwhile, the UAE marked nationwide celebrations of Sheikh Zayed Humanitarian Day, while Dubai launched the 'Father's Endowment' charity fund -- initiatives epitomizing Emirati values of generosity and civic dedication. Amid declining foreign aid commitments from some countries, China and the UAE stand united in delivering equitable and sustainable development opportunities for the Global South, emerging as a catalytic force accelerating collective progress across emerging economies. In 2025, China will solemnly commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. As this year's rotating chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), China will host the SCO Summit in Tianjin this autumn. Marking three decades since the Beijing World Conference on Women, China will convene another Global Women's Summit in the latter half of the year. This year also marks the 41st anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the UAE. Standing at a new historical juncture, the peoples of both nations, under the visionary leadership of President Xi Jinping and President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and driven by shared development approaches and values, will work together to forge an even brighter future.
Associated Press
05-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Chinese modernization offers a new option for others
03/05/2025, Beijing, China // KISS PR Brand Story PressWire // The 'two sessions' are not only a major political event in China but also a key window for the world to observe the country's democratic politics and development trajectory. This year, as in years past, the event has captured considerable global attention, highlighting China's ongoing development and its implications for the world stage. In the 'Unraveling the allure of China' series, the Global Times (GT) invites experts and scholars from around the world to delve into the multifaceted allure of China and explore how the lessons drawn from its unique experiences can provide valuable insights for other nations. In the first installment, Keith Bennett (Bennett), vice chairman of the 48 Group Club and a veteran China watcher, shared his insights with GT reporter Wang Zixuan on this year's 'two sessions' and the global significance of Chinese modernization. GT: The third session of the 14th National People's Congress and the third session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, or 'two sessions' in short, will convene in Beijing on Wednesday and Tuesday respectively. What are your expectations about this event? Bennett: I think that there's going to be more international attention on the 'two sessions' than usual this year. The reason for this is the background against which they will take place in an internationally volatile and unstable situation, which poses challenges not only to China, but to other countries and the global economy as a whole. How China responds will affect not just China, but the world economy as a whole. So, obviously, China will have to take the current situation into account and make necessary policy adjustments. However, I think the main thing that we will see is that China is prepared for any challenge. And if China continues on a long course of steady, measured and high-quality development, it can rely on the vast potential of its internal market which has been highlighted by the dual circulation strategy. Faced with the unpredictable behavior of the US, even other developed economies will more deeply appreciate that China is a steady, reliable and trustworthy partner. GT: What role will the 'two sessions' play this year in contributing to Chinese modernization and people's confidence in development, especially amid rising global uncertainty and the transformation of Chinese economy? Bennett: If you look at the developments over the last year, a central focus was the third plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee in July last year. This sends a clear signal that China will not only continue its policy of reform and opening-up, but it will also enhance it qualitatively. This is further evidenced by the announcement of hundreds of reform measures at the third plenary session. However, I think there's a key change or development occurring with the reform and opening-up in China. Now, it is no longer simply a matter of making foreign things serve China, but it is also about what China contributes to the world. I expect that attention will be paid to the development of new quality productive forces. President Xi Jinping has been laying emphasis on this for some time. What recently caught the world's attention was the sudden emergence of DeepSeek. In relation to this, I expect to see the 'two sessions' making an affirmation of the important role of the private sector within the broader system of socialism with Chinese characteristics. President Xi's recent meeting with entrepreneurs sent a strong signal in this regard. It was notable in that meeting that the attention was given to areas including high-tech and AI. I think this shows that the emphasis is being placed not only on the real economy but also on sustainability and developments that offer benefits to all humanity. GT: Pursuing common prosperity for all is considered an essential feature of Chinese modernization. What are the main characteristics of Chinese modernization? Bennett: Frist of all, Chinese modernization is a modernization of common prosperity. It seeks to avoid polarization and avoid the phenomenon of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. No other country has achieved modernization in this way. We still have those phenomena of polarization in Britain and the US. The second point is that it is green modernization that aims to make a healthy, clean, beautiful and sustainable modernization with emphasis on, for example, reforestation and preserving biodiversity, rather than a modernization that degrades the environment. Third, it is a modernization that rejects the old path of colonialism, war and the strong bullying the weak. Fourth, it is the modernization of a vast country. China is a country of over 1.4 billion people, about 17 percent of the world's population, and therefore its modernization will mean a profound change. GT: Why is the path of Chinese modernization proving to be effective? How does Chinese modernization challenge the notion that 'modernization equals Westernization'? Bennett: I think it's effective because of the features that I've just described. The old path of modernization was characterized to a large extent by colonialism, oppression and war. Not only has it caused great misery and suffering, but it has also exhausted its potential. It's actually not a path that is available anymore because of the rise of the Global South as a whole. With its distinct features, Chinese modernization demonstrates that modernization no longer means Westernization. Chinese modernization and its suitability and efficacy for the majority of humanity will be expressed both quantitatively - by the largest number of people living in modernized conditions - and qualitatively, as it represents a better form of modernization that benefits all in society. It doesn't rely on oppressing other nations or peoples, and avoids polarization. GT: Why is the Chinese modernization path recognized by more and more countries? How has Chinese modernization affected other nations and the world? Bennett: Some people in the West are blaming China for their own problems, but the West is responsible for its own issues. It's been a kind of political trick in capitalist societies to find an external enemy to explain internal problems. In fact, China's rapid development has greatly benefitted the West on a number of levels. For example, during decades of China's reform and opening-up, Western capital has made significant profits in China, and thousands of jobs have been created and sustained thanks to Chinese investment in our countries and exports in China. Moreover, Chinese goods provide consumer with choice and value for money. China's modernization path is more and more recognized by many countries because rather than exploiting others, it offers opportunities. As President Xi said, China can only do well when the world is doing well. When China does well, the world will get even better. I think this is a kind of vision of equal and inclusive globalization, which is the very opposite of the 'my country first' mentality or the 'winner-takes-all' zero-sum game. The significance of Chinese modernization to the world is that it offers a new option for other countries who want to speed up development while preserving independence. The message that Chinese modernization sends to other countries is that if China can do it, then other countries can do it. Additionally, the significance of Chinese modernization to the world lies in its ability to address the global majority in a way that previous modernization projects have failed to achieve. This article first appeared in the Global Times: Website: City: Beijing Disclaimer: This press release is for informational purposes only. All facts and opinions expressed in the referenced blog are those of the original author and do not represent the views or opinions of the distributing agency. The distributing agency does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the blog and assumes no liability for decisions made based on this content. This press release is not intended to provide investment, financial, or legal advice. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research or consult a professional advisor for guidance. Forward-looking statements in the blog are speculative and may not reflect actual outcomes.
