nisar ahmed 
Sharjah, UAE: Strengthening UAE–China economic cooperation took center stage at the “Sharing the Future: New Opportunities for China–Arab Economic Development” summit, held on October 22 at the American University of Sharjah (AUS).
Organised in collaboration with Peking University’s Guanghua School of Management, the event brought together more than 500 leaders, policymakers, and academics to discuss emerging opportunities under the UAE Economic Vision 2031. The discussions focused on trade, energy, and technological collaboration between China and the wider Arab world.
Deepening Bilateral Ties Through Knowledge and Innovation
Opening the summit, Dr. Tod A. Laursen, Chancellor of AUS, and H.E. Ou Boqian, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Dubai, underscored the growing importance of educational partnerships as engines of innovation and sustainable growth.
Both speakers highlighted how universities like AUS and Peking University serve as platforms for dialogue and research that can directly support long-term cooperation in critical sectors such as renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and digital transformation.
Keynote addresses followed from Reem Baggash, Deputy Managing Director at the World Governments Summit Organisation and President of the AUS Alumni Association Board; Dr. Liu Qiao, Dean of Guanghua School of Management at Peking University; and Dr. Samer Saleh Kherfi, Head of the Department of Economics at AUS.
Their remarks emphasized the growing alignment between China’s economic reforms and the UAE’s diversification strategy—especially in areas such as infrastructure, green technology, and investment-driven development.
Panels Spotlight Energy and Artificial Intelligence
Two expert panels provided practical insights into the next phase of China–UAE cooperation.
The first session, “China–UAE Collaborative Development in New Energy,” focused on advancing clean energy partnerships through grid integration, hydrogen production, and large-scale battery storage. Speakers also explored project financing models that could accelerate regional decarbonisation and help meet shared sustainability goals.
The second panel, “AI-Enabled Manufacturing Upgrades,” examined how artificial intelligence can transform industrial operations, from smart factory automation to digital supply chains and workforce upskilling. Experts agreed that both nations are well-positioned to lead in AI-driven manufacturing due to their robust infrastructure and government-led innovation policies.
Higher Education as a Bridge for Sustainable Growth
According to Dr. Salah Brahimi, Vice Chancellor for External Affairs at AUS, the summit illustrated how academic partnerships can translate into tangible economic and policy outcomes.
“At AUS, we see higher education as a driver for international cooperation and economic growth,” he said. “This summit showed how research and academic collaboration can influence policy, empower industries, and strengthen ties between the UAE, China, and the wider Arab region.”
Dr. Liu Qiao echoed this sentiment, calling the collaboration between China and the Arab world “the foundation of the next era of global growth.” He added that by linking academic expertise with innovation in fields like green energy and digital technology, both regions can “accelerate sustainable development and revitalize global productivity.”
A Platform for Strategic Engagement
The AUS–PKU Summit was jointly organized by the AUS Office of External Affairs, the Department of International Studies, and the School of Business Administration. The event forms part of AUS’s ongoing mission to foster cross-border academic and economic partnerships that contribute to real-world impact.
With its strong focus on sustainability, technology, and economic diversification, the summit reinforced the UAE’s role as a bridge between East and West—and showcased the power of academic collaboration in shaping the future of global development.
