Fujian province and Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates, signed an agreement to establish friendly provincial-level relations on Oct 22 following a meeting between Zhao Long, secretary of the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee, and Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, a member of the UAE Supreme Council and the Ruler of RAK, in Fuzhou, Fujian province.

Zhao outlined the province's economic and social development and called for closer ties between Fujian and RAK, with expanded cooperation in technology, trade and investment, culture and education, and people-to-people exchanges. He said Fujian would continue to deepen reforms and further open up to the outside world, adding that stronger local ties would contribute to the steady development of China-UAE relations.

Saud noted the progress made in cooperation between RAK and Fujian in recent years. Looking ahead, he called for closer mutual understanding and trust, with greater collaboration in cultural exchanges, tourism, trade and investment to deliver mutual benefits and shared prosperity.

Fujian provincial officials Wu Xielin and Zhao Zenglian also attended the meeting.