The United Arab Emirates sees China as an important partner in the maritime industry and is willing to deepen the relationship, UAE officials said on Thursday.

For the UAE, which has established itself as a global maritime hub, the industry is not just an economic driver but a reflection of the country's heritage and vision, said Abdulla Alhayyas, director of the Marine Transport Affairs Department under the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, who spoke at an event held by the China Classification Society, or CCS, in Dubai.

Alhayyas said the nation's coastline, which stretches more than 1,300 kilometers, features strategic locations, including the ports of Jebel Ali, Khalifa, and Fujairah.

"The maritime industry is evolving at a very fast pace, with emerging technologies, digital transformation, and environmental regulations reshaping the landscape," he said. "In this dynamic environment, collaboration is more important than ever."

China is the world's largest shipbuilder, commodities importer, and finished goods exporter. According to official figures, China's shipbuilding completion volume in 2024 accounted for 55.7 percent of the global total. New orders for China's shipbuilding industry accounted for 74.1 percent of the global total, and orders on hand accounted for 63.1 percent.

"The UAE Maritime Administration deeply appreciates the important role the CCS has played in supporting the classification and certification of UAE-flagged vessels. This collaboration has not only strengthened our maritime fleet but has also contributed to the UAE's position as a leading maritime hub in the region," Alhayyas said.

In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries, China-UAE relations have maintained a good momentum of development, and practical cooperation has deepened in various fields, including transportation, which sets an example of desired relations between China and Arab countries in the new era, said Zhang Yiming, China's ambassador to the UAE.