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(Photo: CGTN)

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) said Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the UAE marks that the two sides have entered a new stage of the comprehensive strategic partnership, the UAE's official WAM news agency said on Saturday.

With the Chinese president wrapping up a three-day visit to the Gulf country, the WAM news agency said, the bilateral ties of comprehensive strategic partnership would "contribute to cementing and intensifying cooperation, boost joint development and prosperity, which is consistent with the common interest of both countries and their peoples."

Leaders of the UAE also think highly of Xi's visit to the country.

The UAE's Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said President Xi's visit has resulted in a far-reaching vision for the future of bilateral ties leading to new growth in cooperation.

As well, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum tweeted, "the UAE is the first country in the Gulf region to establish a strategic partnership with China." Besides maintaining the present economic and political relationships, the two countries will work together to build cultural, folk and humanitarian relations.

Dawood Al Shezawi, president of the Annual Investment Meeting, an initiative by the UAE's Ministry of Economy, said he was glad that the Chinese president visited the UAE and he believed the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative is a great initiative.

The initiative opens doors to many countries and shows tangible benefits to the world, he added.