DUBAI – Expo 2020 Dubai is expecting a significant boost in Chinese visitor and business presence after signing an agreement with the China-Arab International Cooperation Committee (CAICC) to promote the global destination in the most populous country.

Based in Shanghai, CAICC is a government-backed, non-profit organization that supports China’s One Belt, One Road initiative by stimulating and facilitating business cooperation and cultural communication between China and Arab nations.

Under the agreement, the two entities will work together to encourage Chinese businesses to take full advantage of the many opportunities available before and during Expo 2020 Dubai. CAICC will also extend its support beyond 2020 by facilitating investment opportunities in District 2020, the interconnected mixed development that will carry forward Expo’s legacy.

The two organizations also will work together to promote and facilitate Chinese student and government group visits to Expo 2020 Dubai, which coincides with the 10th anniversary of Shanghai hosting a World Expo in 2010.

The agreement was formalized with a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by Najeeb Mohammed Al-Ali, Executive Director of Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau, and Snow Li Fei Nan, Vice Chairperson, China-Arab International Cooperation Committee at China Sanya Institute of Public Diplomacy, at an event hosted at the Expo 2020 site. Also in attendance were Dherar Belhoul Al Falasi, Director General of Watani Al Emarat Foundation, and Guo De, Vice Chairperson of CAICC, who led the delegation from China.

Najeeb Mohammed Al-Ali said: “As the host of Expo 2010, Shanghai and China understand the huge importance of World Expos and their convening power as a universal force for good. Through cooperation with the CAICC, Expo 2020 Dubai will be able to reach out to our target audiences and build new relationships in Shanghai and neighboring provinces.”

Commenting on the memorandum of understanding, Hong Hao, Chairperson of World Expo Museum, former Director General of Expo 2010 Shanghai and former Secretary General of Shanghai Municipal Government, said: “The bilateral relationship between China and the UAE has reached a new level with a newly declared deep strategic partnership between the two countries.”

“As Dubai’s sister city, Shanghai is willing to share all the experience of hosting a World Expo and work together to contribute to Dubai’s future development. The China-Arab International Cooperation Committee will give maximum support to the organisers of Expo 2020 Dubai.”

The MoU signing follows UAE-China Week earlier this month in which Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Abu Dhabi and a string of important trade deals were announced, as well as confirmation that the week would now be hosted annually.

China officially signed its participation contract for Expo 2020 Dubai on 8 May this year. Under the pavilion theme of ‘Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind – Innovation and Opportunity’, its participation will focus on fostering a global community with a shared future for humankind.

Following a tradition of strong participation in World Expos, China’s pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai is set to be impressive and one of the most visited of the 180 participating nations.

Expo 2020 will give China an opportunity to demonstrate its institutional and technological innovation and showcase its history and culture, while demonstrating its willingness to develop a global partnership for a better future.

Opening on October 20, 2020, Expo 2020 is expected to attract 25 million visits, with 70 percent from outside the UAE – the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos. — SG