Written Interview with Emirates News Agency by State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi

　　王毅国务委员兼外长接受阿联酋通讯社书面采访

　　Q1. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was the first Gulf nation to have a strategic partnership with China. How do you view the UAE's strategic importance in China's foreign relations and policies?

　　一、阿联酋是最早同中国建立战略伙伴关系的海湾国家。在中国对外关系和外交政策中，阿联酋具有怎样的战略意义？

　　Wang:As an important country and a significant strategic partner and diplomatic priority for China in the Middle East and the Gulf region,the UAE has a special place in China's foreign relations. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 35 years ago,both sides have adhered to the principle of mutual respect and mutual benefit in China-UAE relations. Our relationship,having stood the test of the changing international situation,has become a good example of state-to-state relations and a front-runner in China's relations with countries in the region. During President Xi Jinping's historic visit to the UAE in July,2018,our two countries announced the elevation of our relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, marking a new era in our bilateral ties. Our two countries enjoy solid political mutual trust and mutual understanding and support on issues bearing on each other's core interests and major concerns. With progress in energy,finance,infrastructure and industrial cooperation,our practical cooperation has been thriving in multiple areas. Our close cooperation on law enforcement and security matters is a strong underpinning for our common security. Frequent people-to-people and cultural exchanges have consolidated public support for our friendly relations.

　　阿联酋是中东海湾地区重要国家，也是中国在地区的重要战略合作伙伴和优先外交方向，在中国对外关系中占有独特的位置。建交35年来，双方坚持相互尊重、互利共赢，中阿关系经受住了国际风云变幻的考验，成为国与国关系的典范，走在中国同地区国家关系的前列。2018年7月，习近平主席对阿联酋成功进行历史性访问，两国宣布建立全面战略伙伴关系，中阿关系发展进入新的历史阶段。双方政治互信牢固，在涉及彼此核心利益和重大关切问题上相互理解、相互支持；务实合作深入，在能源、金融、基础设施建设、产能等领域合作成果丰硕；执法安全合作密切，有力维护两国共同安全；人文交流密切，两国友好的民意基础不断巩固。

　　His Highness the Crown Prince is about to pay a state visit to China at the invitation of President Xi Jinping. The two leaders are expected to have a deep exchange of views on the bilateral relations and regional and international issues of mutual interest,and draw a new blueprint for China-UAE comprehensive strategic partnership. The visit will go down as another milestone in the history of our relations.

　　应习近平主席邀请，穆罕默德王储即将对中国进行国事访问，习近平主席和穆罕默德王储届时将就双边关系及共同关心的地区和国际问题深入交换意见，一道擘画中阿全面战略伙伴关系发展的新蓝图。此访必将成为中阿关系发展史上又一座重要里程碑。

　　Q2. Can you please talk about UAE's strategic role in China 's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative?

　　二、阿联酋可以在中国宏大的“一带一路”倡议中发挥怎样的战略作用?

　　Wang: The UAE,with its Favorable location,rich energy and resource endowment,and peaceful and stable society,is an economic,trade,financial and shipping hub in the Middle East and the Gulf region and China's natural partner in Belt and Road cooperation. During President Xi Jinping's visit to the UAE last year, an intergovernmental MOU was signed,taking our Belt and Road cooperation to a new stage.

　　阿联酋地理位置优越，能源资源富集，社会安定祥和，是中东海湾地区经济、贸易、金融和航运中心，也是共建“一带一路”的天然合作伙伴。习近平主席去年访阿期间，双方签署政府间共建“一带一路”谅解备忘录，推动两国共建“一带一路”迈上新台阶。

　　Guided by the principle of extensive consultation,joint contribution and shared benefits,China and the UAE have actively leveraged our respective strengths and sought greater complementarity between each other's development strategies, leading to fruitful outcomes in our Belt and Road cooperation: the China-UAE Industrial Capacity Cooperation Demonstration Zone is being built; the whole-industrial-chain cooperation in oil and gas is producing substantial results; the Khalifa Port Container Terminal Two in Abu Dhabi,a joint China-UAE project,is up and running; the Hassyan Clean Coal Power Plant is under construction; and the Chinese language is taught in more and more schools across the emirates. Cooperation in these fields not only benefits our two countries and peoples,but also serves as a positive example and a pacesetter for Belt and Road cooperation between China and Gulf countries. I believe as our two countries strive for substantive,steady and high-quality development of Belt and Road cooperation,the UAE will become a shining pearl along the Belt and Road.

　　双方秉持共商、共建、共享原则，积极对接发展战略，充分发挥各自优势，推动共建“一带一路”合作取得丰硕成果。中阿产能合作示范园落地生根，油气全产业链合作取得重大收获，中阿共同建设的阿布扎比哈利法港二期集装箱码头正式运营，哈斯彦清洁燃煤电站拔地而起，汉语教学逐渐在阿联酋各酋长国全面铺开。这些合作不仅造福了中阿两国和两国人民，更为中国同海湾地区国家共建“一带一路”发挥了积极的示范和带动作用。相信随着中阿高质量共建“一带一路”不断走深走实，阿联酋必将成为“一带一路”沿线一颗璀璨的明珠。

　　Q3. China-UAE relations have seen considerable progress in recent years. How do you think this upcoming state visit will help tap the full potential of our bilateral relations and promote the cooperation between our two countries in various fields?

　　三、近年来，中阿关系水平显著提升。您认为我们应如何通过此次国事访问，进一步挖掘双边关系发展潜力，推动两国各领域合作发展?

　　Wang: China-UAE relations enjoy a huge potential and a bright future in which a lot can be achieved. In recent years,thanks to the personal guidance and efforts of our leaders,our two sides have extended our fruitful cooperation to many new areas, greatly enriching the China-UAE comprehensive strategic partnership.

　　中阿关系潜力巨大，前景广阔，未来大有可为。近年来，在两国领导人亲自关心和大力推动下，双方在许多新领域开展了良好合作并取得丰硕成果，极大充实了中阿全面战略伙伴关系内涵。

　　As advocates of open and inclusive development, both China and the UAE are committed to realizing our respective dreams of national rejuvenation. This shared bond has brought our peoples closer and deepened our understanding of each other's development paths,thus laying a solid political and social foundation for further strengthening our cooperation across the board.

　　中阿两国都坚持开放、包容的发展理念，都致力于实现各自国家和民族振兴的“中国梦”和“阿联酋梦”，这进一步拉紧了两国民众间的情感纽带和对彼此发展道路的认同，为进一步加强双方各领域合作提供了坚实的政治和社会基础。

　　China and the UAE have a shared interest in safeguarding peace and development in the Middle East and the Gulf region. China has important trade, energy and security interests in this region,and is ready to work with all sides and play a constructive role in promoting safe and secure international shipping lanes and stability in the region. This will also bring new opportunities for China-UAE cooperation.

　　中阿两国都希望维护中东海湾地区的和平与发展。中方在这一地区有重要贸易、能源和安全利益，愿同各方一道，为维护国际航道安全、促进地区形势稳定发挥建设性作用。在此过程中，中阿双方也将迎来新的合作机遇。

　　Each with its own distinct strengths,our two economies have much to offer each other. After years of development,the UAE has become a leading country in the Middle East in terms of breadth, depth and outcomes of cooperation with China. It has for many years been the second largest trading partner and top export market of China's among Arab countries. Landmark projects such as the Abu Dhabi onshore and offshore oil concessions,the China-UAE Industrial Capacity Cooperation Demonstration Zone and the Khalifa Port Container Terminal Two are seeing smooth progress. Looking ahead,it is important for the two sides to continue working on the existing projects and move toward a pattern of cooperation with energy as the centerpiece and investment and infrastructure development as the two priority areas. It is also important for us to break new ground by expanding cooperation in artificial intelligence,5G,aerospace,high-speed railway and other high-tech areas.

　　中阿两国经济各具特色，优势互补明显。经过多年发展，阿联酋已经成为同中国开展务实合作领域最广、程度最深、成果最实的中东地区国家之一。阿方连续多年是中国在阿拉伯国家中第二大贸易伙伴和第一大出口市场，阿布扎比陆海石油区块、中阿产能合作示范园、哈利法港二期集装箱码头等一批标志性合作项目稳步推进。下阶段，双方要继续推进好现有项目建设，加快推动形成以能源合作为主轴、以投资和基础设施建设为两翼的务实合作格局，同时着力拓展以人工智能、第五代移动通信、航天、高铁等为代表的高新技术合作，为两国关系开辟更广阔的空间。

　　We are convinced that with the personal commitment and strategic guidance of our two leaders, China-UAE relations will see greater development at a higher level and in broader areas.

　　我们坚信，在两国领导人的亲自关心和战略引领下，中阿关系必将在更高水平、更广领域实现更大发展。

　　Q4. The enhanced Chinese-Emirati relations have positively reflected in people-to-people relations as well. Visa-free travel between both nations, cultural exchanges, promotion of both Chinese and Arabic languages in each other's countries, etc. have played a major role in this regard. What are your views on expanding these relations further?

　　四、中阿人文交流与合作也取得积极发展，两国全面互免签证、开展各类文化交流活动、在对方国家推广汉语和阿拉伯语教学。下阶段，双方应如何继续加强两国人文合作？

　　Wang: People-to-people ties hold the key to good state-to-state relations. Such ties are an important part of China-UAE relations. The UAE hosts the largest Chinese community in the Middle East; nearly 300,000 Chinese are living and working in your country. The UAE is the first country in West Asia and North Africa to reach agreement with China on mutual exemption of visas for holders of all types of passports. Since this policy entered into force in January last year, visits between our two countries have seen rapid growth, significantly enhancing mutual understanding between our peoples. With the strong support of His Highness the Crown prince, the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Center for Arabic Language and Islamic Studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University is playing an important role in teaching and promoting the Arabic language in China. The Crown prince's ambition to introduce Chinese courses in 200 schools in the UAE has become a flagship project for connecting our two peoples. China will continue its full support to the UAE in realizing this goal at an early date. Next year, Dubai will play host to the first World Expo in the Middle East, something all regional countries take great pride in. China will continue to actively prepare for its participation in Expo 2020 Dubai and make its contribution to the full success of this event. China will work with the UAE to further deepen our exchanges and cooperation in culture, education, tourism, youth and other fields, with a view to bringing the hearts of our two peoples closer and consolidating the foundation for China-UAE friendship.

　　国之交在于民相亲。人文合作是中阿关系的重要组成部分。阿联酋是华侨华人最多的中东国家，目前有近30万中国人在阿工作、生活。阿联酋也是第一个同中国全面互免签证的西亚北非国家。自去年1月实现全面互免签证后，双方人员往来快速增长，极大增进了两国民众间相互了解。在穆罕默德王储大力支持下，北京外国语大学扎耶德阿拉伯语与伊斯兰研究中心为中国阿拉伯语教学和推广事业发挥了重要的促进作用。穆罕默德王储提出在阿联酋200所学校开设中文课程的宏大构想，成为两国民心相通的旗舰工程，中方将继续全力支持阿方推进有关工作，尽早实现这一目标。迪拜将于明年举办中东地区首届世博会，这是所有地区国家的骄傲。中方将继续积极推进有关参展工作，为迪拜世博会的圆满成功作出中国贡献。中方愿与阿方一道，不断深化中阿在文化、教育、旅游、青年等领域的交流合作，促进中阿民心相通，夯实两国友好的根基。

　　本文重点词汇

　　Written书面的; 笔头的; 以书信形式的; 成文的; 正式的; 书写; 写字; 写作; 作曲; 编写; 写信; write的过去分词

　　Interview面试; 面谈; 记者采访，访谈; 面谈，会谈，晤谈; 对进行面试; 接受面试; 采访，访问

　　Emirates 阿联酋United Arab Emirates (on the Trucial Coast of the Persian Gulf) 阿拉伯联合酋长

　　policies政策; 方针; 原则; 为人之道; 保险单; policy的复数