Starting in January 2018, the Emirates will be able to enter China without a visa thanks to an agreement signed between the United Arab Emirates and China.
UAE citizens are exempted from applying for a visa to enter China through an agreement signed between the UAE and China. Emirates have been given the opportunity to stay in the country for up to 30 days, starting January 16, 2018.
"The Chinese government’s move reflects the growth achieved by the UAE and strengthens bilateral relations and opens up new opportunities for the growth of tourism and trade between the two friendly countries," said Ahmed Al Daheri, assistant deputy secretary for consular affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The UAE and China established diplomatic relations in November 1984. In 1987, the UAE opened its first embassy in Beijing, and later established consulates in Hong Kong in 2000, Shanghai in 2006, and Guangzhou last year. In turn, China opened its embassy in Abu Dhabi in April 1985 and the consulate in Dubai in November 1988.
The UAE is becoming an increasingly popular destination for Chinese tourists. Last year, from 800 thousand to a million people visited the country. However, only 10 thousand emirates visited China in 2017, according to the Chinese Embassy.
In September, China opened its first Middle East visa application center in Dubai.
The country has been Dubai's largest trading partner since 2014 and is the second largest trading partner of the UAE as a whole since 2011.
A total of 13 Chinese cities, including Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Shenzhen, as well as Hong Kong and Taipei, have more than 100 weekly flights to Dubai.
