Xie Jinying's Speech at the China-UAE Tourism Cooperation Forum

On July 16th, the "China-UAE Tourism Cooperation Forum", jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China and the Ministry of Economy of the United Arab Emirates, and hosted by the China Tourism Academy, the "Embrace China" Executive Committee of the UAE, and the China International Exhibition Center, was successfully held through video link. Secretary-General Xie Jinying of the International Exchange and Cooperation Bureau attended the forum and delivered a speech. The full text is as follows:

Distinguished friends who care about and support tourism exchanges and cooperation between China and the UAE, ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon! It is a great pleasure to participate in the first China-UAE Tourism Cooperation Forum and to meet you all via video. First of all, on behalf of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations on the convening of this forum and express my sincere gratitude to all the guests for their long-term support of China-UAE cultural and tourism cooperation and their active participation in the relevant activities of this forum! In July 2018, Chinese President Xi Jinping pointed out in his speech at the opening ceremony of the Eighth Ministerial Meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum that China and the Arab states are both important forces on the international stage, and Arab countries are natural partners for China in jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative. He emphasized the need to actively promote the establishment of a tourism cooperation mechanism within the framework of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum. To implement the spirit of President Xi's speech, we successfully held the "2019 China-Arab States Tourism Cooperation Forum" in China in 2019, officially launching the construction of a tourism cooperation mechanism between China and Arab countries. Today, we are holding the "China-UAE Tourism Cooperation Forum" online, which is an important measure to promote the construction of the China-UAE tourism mechanism and a further refinement and implementation of President Xi Jinping's instructions. During this special period of global efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism industry in all countries faces new challenges. Our decision to hold this forum online fully demonstrates the solidarity and cooperation between the tourism departments and industries of China and the UAE in overcoming difficulties together. It also proves that digital technology has brought new opportunities for tourism exchange and cooperation, reflecting the profound friendship between China and the UAE in times of adversity and the high level of their comprehensive strategic partnership. China and the UAE have significant differences in tourism resources, but they are highly complementary, offering broad prospects for tourism cooperation. In 2016, the governments of China and the UAE signed a comprehensive visa exemption agreement. In 2017, the number of Chinese tourists visiting the UAE exceeded one million, and in 2019, the number of Chinese tourists staying overnight in Dubai alone reached 989,000. Currently, China has become the world's largest source market for tourists and the fourth largest international tourist destination, with over 169 million outbound tourists in 2019. We are willing to continue sharing the opportunities brought by the development of China's tourism industry with our UAE friends. I believe that with the further alignment of tourism policies between China and the UAE, cooperation in the tourism sector will become even closer, making a positive contribution to the greater development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the UAE in the new era. Ladies and gentlemen! While recognizing the opportunities, we are also keenly aware that China-Arab tourism cooperation currently faces many challenges. This forum, themed "Integration and Innovation in the New Era," aims to encourage the tourism industries of both countries to actively respond to the digital technological changes and challenges of the new era, unleash the potential of technology to empower the tourism industry, and further solidify and innovate China-Arab tourism exchanges and cooperation. Digital technology innovation is a new driving force for tourism development, and strengthening exchanges and cooperation in the field of digital technology has become a common consensus and a strong call from tourism participants. We hope everyone will fully utilize this forum opportunity to further explore how to fully leverage the role of digital technology in promoting China-Arab tourism cooperation, promote the joint development of digital technology and online markets, and explore new avenues for cooperation in areas such as tourism investment, market exchange, joint promotion, tourism safety assurance, information sharing, market regulation, tourism education, and talent training, combining digital technology with practical applications. The enterprises and institutions represented by the guests participating in today's forum have demonstrated continuous innovation and outstanding performance in using digital technology to enhance competitiveness and improve product quality. They are active participants and worthy role models in the integration of digital technology with culture and tourism. We also hope that local provinces and cities in both countries will actively participate and share their valuable experiences in promoting tourism cooperation using digital technology. We hope that new cooperation between China and Arab countries from the perspective of digital technology will make new contributions to the recovery of the tourism industry in both countries after the pandemic. Ladies and gentlemen! Ten days ago, in his congratulatory letter to the Ninth Ministerial Meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, President Xi Jinping pointed out that since the outbreak of COVID-19, China and Arab countries have stood together through thick and thin, helping each other and supporting one another, carrying out close cooperation. This is a vivid portrayal of the shared destiny of China and Arab countries. Currently, the China-Arab cooperation in fighting the pandemic has achieved a phased victory, consumer confidence in the tourism market is recovering, and the momentum for industrial revitalization is accumulating. We hope that this forum will serve as an opportunity to think about and develop tourism cooperation between the two countries from a new perspective, fully tap the huge potential of China-Arab tourism exchanges and cooperation, promote mutually beneficial cooperation and prosperity in the tourism industry, and contribute to the development of the China-Arab comprehensive strategic partnership and the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative. Finally, I would like to thank the UAE Ministry of Economy and Trade for initiating this forum, and thank the China Tourism Academy, China International Exhibition Center Group Corporation, and the UAE "Embrace China" Executive Committee for their efficient and professional work. I wish this forum a complete success, and I wish all the guests good health and success in their work.

Thank you all.