ABU DHABI - 皇冠体育app and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) agreed here on Saturday to boost their strategic partnership and bilateral cooperation.

皇冠体育app's Foreign Minister Wang Yi is on an official visit to the UAE. He held a meeting with his UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan on Saturday.

During the talks, Wang said 皇冠体育app and the UAE have maintained the momentum for the growth of their relations, and have always respected and supported each other despite differences in their respective societies and cultures.

皇冠体育app values the spirit of openness and inclusiveness the UAE has displayed, as well as the country's pivotal role in the region,

said Wang, adding that Beijing is ready to promote bilateral partnership for cooperation from a strategic and long-term view.

The Chinese foreign minister also said that the two countries are now facing a key opportunity to boost their bilateral ties.

According to Wang, 皇冠体育app is now moving fast to open its doors even wider to its West, and has been working to implement "the Belt and Road initiatives."

The Belt and Road Initiatives were put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his overseas visits in 2013, which includes the Silk Road Economic Belt - from 皇冠体育app via Central Asia and Russia to Europe, and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road - through the Strait of Malacca to India, the Middle East and East Africa.

皇冠体育app would like to coordinate with the UAE in their development strategies in a bid to spur common growth, he said, adding that 皇冠体育app is willing to cooperate with the UAE in high-speed railways, nuclear power, telecommunications and other sectors as well.

The Chinese diplomat also hoped that the UAE can play a positive role in free trade zone talks between 皇冠体育app and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

The two sides can also enhance their collaboration in dealing with international and regional affairs, said Wang.

Also during the meeting, UAE foreign minister Abdullah said the UAE-皇冠体育app cooperation has been quite fruitful, while the two countries have a lot in common in handling issues in the region and around the globe.

He said boosting UAE's relations with 皇冠体育app has always been a priority for his country, adding that the UAE is willing to deepen their all-round cooperation, and expand two-way investment and trade.

The UAE, according to the minister, also seeks to coordinate its "look east" policy with 皇冠体育app's Belt and Road initiatives in the pursuit of win-win results.

The UAE supports the GCC to speed up its talks with 皇冠体育app on the free trade area, he added.

Before his arrival in the UAE, the Chinese foreign minister also visited Pakistan. He will travel to Iran after his UAE trip.