Mayor discusses twin-city cooperation in Dubai

Shanghai Mayor Ying Yong met with deputy ruler of Dubai Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in Dubai on Thursday local time during his visit to the city.

Ying said Shanghai has established twin-city tie with Dubai since 2000. The two cities have close collaboration in trade, finance, tourism, and free trade zone development.

Shanghai will become an international economic, finance, trade, and shipping center by 2020 and realize the core functions of a global technology and innovation center and a global metropolis by 2040.

Dubai is the trade and financial center of Middle East, Ying added. There are great economic benefits in the collaboration of the two cities. Shanghai wants to share its experience in hosting the 2010 Shanghai Expo with Dubai on its coming 2020 Dubai Expo.

Ying expressed his hope for further cooperation between the two cities under the framework of the Belt and Road initiative.

Maktoum said he had visited Shanghai for many times, which left him many beautiful impressions. China is an important trade, and long term strategic partner of the United Arab Emirates. Dubai will support China’s Belt and Road initiative and use its geographical advantage to be Shanghai’s trade gateway into the Middle East, and further cooperation in trade and port operation.

During the visit Ying also inspected the Dubai branch of SAIC Motor Corporation and was briefed of the corporation’s global development strategy. He hoped the corporation can keep promoting and improving automobile technologies, its brand name, R&D and after sale services.

Li Lingbing, China’s consul-general in Dubai, was also present at the meeting.