Ali is one of many people who has been struck by the two cities' similarities.

For diplomats who live in Dubai and Guangzhou, pioneering, inclusive, vibrant and innovative are words often used to describe the two.

Mariam Alshamsi, the UAE's consul-general in Guangzhou, just arrived this spring, saying the city has left her with "an overwhelmingly positive impression".

"I am deeply impressed by the spirit of innovation that permeates Guangzhou, which lives up to its reputation as one of Asia's leading metropolises. The city's dynamic energy reflects that of the UAE, where progress and innovation are integral to our national ethos," Alshamsi says.

"The enduring legacy of the maritime Silk Road does indeed serve as a testament to the historical ties between the Arabian Peninsula and China, particularly Guangzhou. While Guangzhou and the UAE may be geographically distant, their shared attributes underscore the profound connections between us," she says.

Ou Boqian, China's consul-general in Dubai, says: "Historically, Guangzhou and Dubai are important hubs along the ancient maritime Silk Road. Today, both are dedicated to advancing smart cities and fostering high technology."

Both cities exude resilience, openness and inclusiveness, and regard themselves very much as pacesetters, she says.

Indeed, in recent years both cities have stepped up their efforts to adopt new technology, such as electric vehicles and driverless cars, and to develop the use of low-altitude flying vehicles.

In the first nine months of this year, 193,000 vehicles were exported from Nansha Automobile Port in Guangzhou, nearly 40 percent more than in the corresponding period last year. Of these, 32,700 were new energy vehicles, and by the end of the year, 240,000 such vehicles are forecast to have been exported.

Among those loaded from Guangzhou ports are cars made by GAC Group.

"As GAC International's overseas operations expand, the Middle East is our most important sector," says Wayne Wei, president of GAC International.

"Over the past few years, our business has spread to nine countries in the Middle East, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait."