President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan looks on during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron to mourn the death of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan on May 15, 2022 at Al Mushrif Palace in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. CHRISTIAN HARTMANN President Xi Jinping has congratulated Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on his accession to the presidency of the United Arab Emirates, saying he would like to work with the new president of the Arab nation to strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership.
According to a news statement released on Sunday, Xi said that since the two countries established diplomatic relations, their bilateral ties have kept developing in an all-around way.
He said that the two countries supported each other on the issues related to their core interests and major concerns, with fruitful achievements in pragmatic cooperation in various fields.
He said that they have worked together to combat COVID 19 with significant results, and their friendship has intensified.
Xi said he is willing to work together with the new president of the UAE to deepen the nations' strategic partnership to benefit the two countries and their people, because he attaches great importance to the development of China-UAE relations.
Sheikh Mohamed, 61, became the new president of the UAE on Saturday after his brother, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, passed away on Friday.
Sheikh Khalifa, who died at the age of 73, was the second president of the UAE and 16th ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. He first assumed federal constitutional authority as President of the UAE and became ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in November 2004 after his late father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
On Saturday Xi sent a message of condolence to the UAE's new president, mourning the passing of Sheikh Khalifa and extending his sincere sympathies to the relatives of the late president and the people of UAE on behalf of the Chinese government and people and in his own name.
Xi said that President Sheikh Khalifa had been working to uphold political stability and promote the socioeconomic development of his country, and won respect and acclaim from the people of the UAE.
He was committed to China-UAE friendship and made active efforts to promote the development of the countries' ties, Xi said. He said that his passing is a huge loss to the people of UAE and the loss of a good friend to the Chinese people.
Xi said he is confident that the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the UAE will continue to develop, as the Chinese government and people value the friendship with the UAE.