Shen Xiaoming, secretary of the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee, led a Hunan delegation to visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) between September 9 and 11, 2025. The visit aimed to thoroughly implement the important consensus reached between the leaders of China and the UAE, as well as the spirit of President Xi Jinping's important speeches and directives on Hunan's work. The delegation sought to deepen exchanges and cooperation, advance openness and collaboration, and contribute Hunan's strength to the in-depth development of China-UAE comprehensive strategic partnership.
Strengthening economic and trade cooperation is a highlight of the Hunan delegation's visit. The delegation held meetings with UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi; Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi; Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism Abdulla Al Saleh; Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology Omar Sultan AI Olama; Chairman and CEO of Dubai Ports World Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, and, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, respectively.
Secretary Shen noted that over the course of China's more than 40 years of reform and opening up, Hunan has achieved remarkable progress across various sectors and continuously elevated its opening up level. The secretary expected both sides to promote complementary industrial strengths, strengthen partnership in scientific and technological innovation, and enhance people-to-people exchanges. Secretary Shen also hoped that the Middle East region, as an important transit point for China-Africa economic and trade relations, would effectively play its role as a bridge and link; actively participate in the construction of the Pioneering Zone for In-depth China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation; and, propel bilateral cooperation to a higher level. The UAE representatives believed that UAE and Hunan shared broad cooperation prospects. They are willing to further enhance mutual understanding and expanding collaboration with Hunan in such areas as advanced manufacturing, modern agriculture, life sciences and health, green energy, and cultural tourism.
On September 10, Hunan delegation holds a meeting with a delegation led by UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi.
On September 9, Hunan delegation holds talks with Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism Abdulla Al Saleh, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, and other guests.
On September 11, Hunan delegation meets with a delegation led by Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology Omar Sultan AI Olama.
On September 10, Hunan delegation has a discussion with Chairman and CEO of Dubai Ports World Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem.
The Hunan-Middle East Business Networking Conference for Competitive Industries was held in Dubai on September 9. Secretary Shen stated that the Middle East region has been vigorously advancing economic diversification and industrial upgrading. Hunan is fully committed to building itself into a national hub for important and advanced manufacturing industries, a sci-tech and innovation center with core competitiveness, and a pacesetter for reform and opening-up of China's inland regions. Both sides share a profound alignment in their development visions. Secretary Shen expects both sides to further advance high-level industrial cooperation; expand high-quality economic and trade exchanges; deepen high-level mutual learning and communication; and jointly compose a new chapter of win-win development between Hunan and the Middle East region. At the meeting, attendees witnessed the signing of a series of projects. They also participated in Hunan's cultural tourism promotion and Hunan cuisine tasting activities.
On September 9, Secretary Shen delivers a speech at the Hunan-Middle East Business Networking Conference for Competitive Industries in Dubai.
On September 9, Hunan delegation visits the Hunan Culture and Tourism Photo Exhibition, the Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition, and the Hunan Cuisine Culture Exhibition alongside foreign guests.
In recent years, a number of Hunan-based enterprises have invested and developed in the UAE, with bilateral economic and trade cooperation growing increasingly close. Secretary Shen visited Zoomlion's Gulf subsidiary and the Ajman China Mall invested and operated by Hunan Bosen Industry Group. Secretary Shen also took a test ride on CRRC Abu Dhabi Smart Rail, gaining insights into the operations and project implementation of Hunan enterprises in the UAE. He encouraged Hunan enterprises to bring more Hunan products and services to Gulf countries, thereby extending their reach to African nations, and to make greater contributions to promoting economic and trade exchanges between Hunan and the UAE, as well as between Hunan and Africa.
On September 10, Hunan delegation inspects Zoomlion's Gulf subsidiary.
On September 10, Hunan delegation talks with Hunan entrepreneur representatives at the Ajman China Mall.
On September 11, Hunan delegation takes a test ride on CRRC Abu Dhabi Smart Rail.
The delegation also visited the Dubai Internet City and the Dubai Media City, the Jebel Ali Free Zone, and the New York University Abu Dhabi, to learn about the UAE's experiences in cultural industry development, free trade zone construction, and international cooperative education.
On September 10, Hunan delegation visits the Dubai Media City.
On September 11, Hunan delegation inspects the New York University Abu Dhabi.
During the visit, Hunan delegation held working discussions with Zhang Yiming, Chinese Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. Wang Yi, acting consul general of China in Dubai, joined related activities.
Photos taken by Tang Jun and Yang Fan.
This article is from the Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn.
Translator: Yu Jiangjiang
Chinese source: hunan.gov.cn
