China-UAE industrial zone sees first operational project

Businesses settle in demonstration area to seek high-level development

NANJING — In the Khalifa Industrial Zone in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, one building is particularly eye-catching, featuring facades decorated with red patterns that resemble Chinese seals. It is situated amid modern new factories, with asphalt roads extending in various directions.

The landscape is part of the China-UAE Industrial Capacity Cooperation Demonstration Zone, a landmark cooperation project between the two countries under the Belt and Road Initiative.

The demonstration zone, with a total planned area of 12.2 square kilometers, is aimed at promoting bilateral cooperation in areas such as high-end manufacturing, new energy, fine chemicals, warehousing and logistics, metal processing and other industries. Construction began in May 2018, with an initial area of 2.2 sq km.