Dubai ruler inspired by China's rapid growth

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CHINA VISIT: Sheikh Mohammed (C) with the UAE delegation during his trip to the People's Republic. (Wam)

The Great Wall of China on Tuesday witnessed an historic visit by Dubai's ruler, on a four-day state visit to the People's Republic aimed at boosting economic ties.

A delegation of 50 UAE government and business leaders accompanied Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, also vice president prime minister of the UAE, who spoke of his inspiration at the accomplishments of the Chinese in Beijing.

“I came here in 1990 and all I saw were bicycles. Now look around and see the difference for yourself,” he told ArabianBusiness.com in a conversation on the Great Wall.

The economic transformation of Beijing is evidence that anything can be achieved with sufficient drive and determination, Sheikh Mohammed said.

“It is all because of hard work that we see these results. If you sit around idle in life, then nothing happens in your life,” he added.

He likened the progress made in Beijing to the extraordinary growth in Dubai, but suggested that both cities could strive for even greater success and were ready to exchange ideas on future development.

“We can learn a lot from the Chinese, but they can also learn from us,” said Sheikh Mohammed.

Emaar Chairman Mohammed Al Abbar was equally inspired by the transformation of Beijing. Speaking exclusively to ArabianBusiness.com, he suggested that the speed of development made even Dubai look sluggish.

“I look at what they have achieved here and I wonder if Emaar could have done this. It shows us that moving at a normal pace is not good enough. We have to move at a very fast pace,” he said.

The UAE delegation continues its Chinese tour with a visit to Shanghai to attend a bilateral economic forum on Wednesday.

Sheikh Mohammad is expected to meet Vice President Xi Jinping and Premier Wen Jiabao on Thursday,

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