An event entitled "Greater Bay Area (GBA) & Middle East Gulf Region (MEGR): Bridging a Better Future" took place in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Guangdong) Talent Hub on Sept 7 to mark the 10th anniversary of friendly relations between Guangzhou and Dubai.

Representatives from Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi (four sister cities) participated in a panel focusing on the "Greater Bay Area-United Arab Emirates sci-tech innovation boundary." Sci-tech institutions and companies attended a roadshow, which attracted more than 80 attendees to observe and interact. The event was expected to provide a communication platform for the institutions and enterprises of the four cities.

Zhan Decun, director of the foreign affairs office of Guangzhou municipal government, noted that this year marks the 10th anniversary of establishing sister-city relations between Guangzhou and Dubai. We have focused on economic cooperation, trade and investment, sci-tech innovation, and cultural exchanges to boost mutual development over the past 10 years.

"This event aims to gather the power of creativity among Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and to release Guangzhou and Shenzhen's kinetic energy on fostering GBA, while showcasing the plan's potential to develop Guangzhou's Nansha district," said Zhan.

Rahma Abdulrahman Rahma Alshamsi, consul-general of the United Arab Emirates in Guangzhou, said that Dubai and Guangzhou have a long and rewarding relationship. He wished this event would help deepen the ties between the two cities and solidify cooperation between the GBA and MEGR.

According to China's Consul General in Dubai Li Xuhang, Guangzhou and Dubai's fruitful cooperation has served as a model for China-United Arab Emirates sister cities.

Hassan Al Hashemi, acting chairman and CEO of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, delivered a speech via video. "Dubai and Guangzhou are both major regional trading hubs. I wish for closer cooperation between Guangzhou and Dubai in such key areas as renewable energy, science and technology, innovation, artificial intelligence, and food security," he said.

Rahma Abdulrahman Rahma Alshamsi, consul-general of the United Arab Emirates in Guangzhou, delivers a speech at the event entitled "Greater Bay Area & Middle East Gulf Region: Bridging A Better Future" on Sept 7, 2022.

Representatives from Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dubai and Abu Dhabi participate in a panel on Sept 7, 2022.