On October 23, Zhou Xiaochuan, Vice Chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), had a meeting with H.E. Obaid bin Humaid Al Tayer, Minister of State for Financial Affairs of the UAE, during the 3rd FinTech Abu Dhabi. The two sides reviewed the global and regional economic situation and explored issues such as how to enhance cooperation between the Middle East and other parts of Asia.

Both sides agreed that global economic growth is currently under downward pressure and the multilateral trading system is faced with daunting challenges. In this context, countries across Asia should jointly champion multilateralism and safeguard global trade and financial rules. The two sides are willing to actively promote cooperation between East Asia and the Middle East including that between China and the UAE to fully unleash the potential for cooperation in trade, investment, financial services, technological innovation and other fields and inject new vitality into sustainable growth of the global economy.

Vice Chairman Zhou expressed his hope that BFA will further strengthen exchanges and cooperation with countries in the Middle East including the UAE, so that this international dialogue platform can better serve the economic and social development of Asia and the world. H.E. Obaid bin Humaid Al Tayer said that the UAE is willing to increase its understanding of BFA and participation in BFA’s meetings and events, so as to discuss the global priority issues and build consensus with leaders from various communities in Asia and beyond. Li Baodong, Secretary-General of BFA, attended the meeting and gave a presentation about the international organization.