A decision exempting UAE nationals from the pre-entry visas to China takes effect today, January 16.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation announced the visa waiver entitles Emirati travellers to stay in China a maximum 30 days.
The two countries had recently signed a memorandum of understanding exempting Emirati citizens from the pre-entry visas to China, bringing the number of countries who granted UAE nations the same privilege worldwide to 138.
Assistant Undersecretary for Consular Affairs Ahmed Al-Dhaheri stressed the importance of the step which, he said, would open new prospects for UAE nationals for tourism and investment and trade.
The UAE and China first established in November 1984, paving the way for the Emirati ambassador to open its doors in Beijing on the 19th March, 1987.
China opened its embassy in Abu Dhabi in April 1985 and a Consulate in Dubai in November 1988.
According to latest statistics, the overall volume of trade exchanges topped $20.25 billion during the first half of 2017. China exports goods worth $13.97 to the UAE whose exports to Beijing topped $7.871.
The UAE airline companies operate 60 regular flights to China weekly, reflecting growing economic and trade cooperation.