China's President Xi Jinping met UAE Vice President Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashed al-Maktoum, who is also ruler of Dubai, and Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan in Abu Dhabi.
The UAE officials discussed "strengthening strategic bilateral ties as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest with Chinese president.
Meanwhile, China and the United Arab Emirates signed a raft of economic agreements as Xi Jinping held talks in Abu Dhabi ahead of a three-nation Africa tour.
Xi’s visit is his first trip abroad since being re-elected in March and comes as both nations draw on their strengthening ties across commerce, culture, tourism and politics.
After the UAE, Xi will pay state visits to Senegal, Rwanda and South Africa, attend the 10th BRICS summit in Johannesburg, and visit Mauritius during a stopover.
