But it is the energy sector where the burgeoning ties between Chinese companies and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) that highlights the strategic Sino-UAE relationship. The recent visit, to Beijing, by His Excellency Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and ADNOC Group CEO, as part of a high-level UAE government delegation, led by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, was intended to expand and deepen that energy partnership, and explore new, mutually beneficial, partnerships and co-investment opportunities across the oil and gas value chain.

H.E. Dr Al Jaber said: "Energy cooperation is an important aspect of the UAE's relations with China, the number one oil importer globally and a major growth market for ADNOC's crude, refined and petrochemical products. We are keen to expand and deepen that relationship and believe there are mutually beneficial partnership and co-investment opportunities across our Upstream and Downstream value chains. ADNOC is also ready to work with existing and new partners to meet the growing demand for energy and petrochemical products in China."

Over the past four years, the UAE and China have established several important energy partnerships, starting in 2014, when Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and the China National Petroleum Corporation established the Al Yasat joint venture, which saw its first oil production earlier this year and its first oil shipment to China in May.