UAE wants to be trade catalyst

Al Bitar said Dubai's status, in particular, as a global hub for trade and logistics, represented an attractive opportunity for China and the participants in the "Belt and Road Initiative".

The UAE announced in April it would join the AIIB as a founding member, noting the new institution will play a pivotal role in promoting Asia's development and fulfill the infrastructure needs of the Asian continent.

Its active participation in the two China-led Silk Road initiatives will contribute to strengthening the already strong commercial ties between the two countries, Al Bitar said.

Last year, trade between China and the UAE was worth $54.8 billion, an 18.5 percent increase on 2013. There are more than 4,200 Chinese companies operating in the Gulf state.

China and the UAE first established diplomatic ties in 1984, and Dubai－the country's second-largest member emirate－is now home to 200,000 Chinese, or 10 percent of its population.

China overtook India as Dubai's biggest trading partner in 2014, with traffic between the two sides now worth $47.6 billion.

Celebrating the spirit of an emirate

Dubai Week in China celebrates the pioneering spirit of the emirate and its thriving relationship with China.

It will inform and inspire visitors showing how the city is relevant to them with unprecedented opportunities across business, tourism, culture and lifestyle.

The event will provide a chance to see, touch and taste Dubai and will bring to life the story of the emirate, visitors to gain a deeper understanding and discover a side of the city they many have not been aware of.

Event partners: A Falcon and Associates initiative in cooperation with the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries; DTCM, DIFC, Emirates, Dubai Expo 2020, Jafza, Jumeirah Group and KHDA.

Dates: May 8 to 15.

Venue: The Orange, Taikoo Li Sanlitun South

Dubai attendance: Government officials and senior executives representing the event partners.

Subsidiary events: Leadership panel discussions are scheduled as well as themed evenings celebrating Dubai and China’s shared passion for sport, food and art.