- HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi: ‘The friendship between Ras Al Khaimah and China is deeply rooted in history and revitalized by a shared vision for modern economic transformation’
- Ras Al Khaimah signs Agreement with Fujian Province, Emirate entities enter into MoUs with Chinese counterparts across three cities during productive delegation visit
October, 2026, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates: His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, witnesses the signing of a historic agreement between Ras Al Khaimah and Fujian Province, China, concluding a momentous six-day visit to South China.
The agreement aims to establish friendly relations and build partnerships across a variety of sectors. It establishes a comprehensive framework for deeper economic, maritime and cultural ties between Ras Al Khaimah and Fujian Province, driving joint initiatives in green supply chains, port logistics, sustainable building materials and cultural exchange. The signing ceremony in Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian Province, was attended by senior provincial leadership and delegates from Ras Al Khaimah, marking a new milestone in bilateral collaboration on governance and highlighting mutual trust between the two regions.
Commenting on the agreement, HH Sheikh Saud said: “The friendship between Ras Al Khaimah and China is deeply rooted in history and revitalized by a shared vision for modern economic transformation. Signing this friendship agreement with Fujian Province cements a partnership rooted in mutual respect, shared ambition and centuries of maritime connection, which creates a formal foundation for our communities and enterprises to collaborate more closely.”
The friendship agreement, signed on behalf of the Government of Ras Al Khaimah by His Excellency Mohammed Omran Al Shamsi, Special Advisor to HH Sheikh Saud, and on behalf of Fujian Province by Mr. Zhao Zenglian, Member of the Standing Committee of the Fujian Provincial Committee, follows the signing of 10 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between entities and establishments in Ras Al Khaimah and their Chinese counterparts, all of which were witnessed by HH Sheikh Saud. During the first leg of the visit, in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, HH Sheikh Saud was present for the signing of a strategic MoU between the International Relations Office of the Government of Ras Al Khaimah and UBTECH Robotics, which establishes a framework to test, demonstrate and deploy humanoid robotic systems across industrial, commercial service, elderly care and cultural tourism scenarios in Ras Al Khaimah.
Other MoUs signed were between RAK Transport Authority and Shenzhen Urban Transport Planning Center (SUTPC); separate agreements involving Marjan Group and RAKBANK and the Bank of China (Dubai Branch); the International Relations Office and Phoenix New Media Information Technology; Marjan Group and the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC); Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RAK Chamber) and Tianhe Central Business District (Tianhe CBD); RAK Chamber and the Bureau of China International SME Fair; RAK Department of Antiquities & Museums and Sun Yat-sen University History Museum; and Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) and Fujian Jihong Packaging Technology.
This historic friendship agreement with Fujian Province marked the successful conclusion of an intensive delegation tour across Shenzhen and Guangzhou in Guangdong Province, as well as Fuzhou, from 18 to 23 October.
During the stay in Fuzhou, the Ras Al Khaimah delegation engaged in multi-dimensional dialogues that extended beyond commercial investment to embrace shared cultural heritage and academic research. HH Sheikh Saud also visited the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys cultural district and Zheng He Historical Relics Exhibition Hall, a heritage landmark marking the starting point of Zheng He’s Maritime Silk Road voyages. Ras Al Khaimah’s Department of Antiquities had previously highlighted the 13th-century Yuan Dynasty porcelain discovered in the Emirate, reaffirming the Maritime Silk Road trade routes that connected the ancient trading post of Julfar, the precursor to Ras Al Khaimah, with South China for centuries.
The journey began in Shenzhen with the RAK-China Business Conference, themed “Together Towards Shared Value”, alongside CEO matchmaking sessions that connected Chinese innovators in AI and future technologies with Ras Al Khaimah’s core economic bodies. The delegation then travelled to Guangzhou for high-level meetings and the inauguration of Ras Al Khaimah’s first business consultancy in China, establishing a permanent bridge for trade and cultural exchange, before concluding the trip in Fuzhou.
The visit builds on the ongoing momentum, which includes April’s landmark MOUs with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) and Bank of China, as well as Ras Al Khaimah’s foundational 2024 collaboration agreement with Guangdong Province. Together, these strategic frameworks provide a seamless, multi-pillar foundation for long-term bilateral collaboration.
HH Sheikh Saud noted: “Our engagements in China have reaffirmed that true progress stems from an enduring partnership. By aligning Chinese industrial and technological leadership with Ras Al Khaimah’s strategic location, vast manufacturing capabilities and abundant opportunities, all the while honoring our shared cultural heritage, we unlock sustainable progress for both of our peoples. We extend our warmest invitation to our partners in China to join us in Ras Al Khaimah as we collaborate, innovate and shape a prosperous future together.”
With a population of over 128.6 million people, Guangdong has the largest economy of any province in China, with a GDP of US$2 trillion (AED7.34 trillion) in 2025. It is a major manufacturing hub, with electronics, automotive, textiles, pharmaceuticals, high-tech industries, finance and real estate making up some of the key sectors.
Fujian Province, on China’s southeastern coast, has a population of 41.9 million people and recorded a GDP of US$897 billion (AED3.29 trillion) in 2025. The province has a strong manufacturing base, with key industries including electronic information, machinery and equipment, petrochemicals and advanced manufacturing, alongside a growing digital economy.
About His Highness Sheikh Saud:
His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi is a Member of the Supreme Council of the UAE and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK). Born in Dubai in 1956, he was educated in Ras Al Khaimah before attending the American University of Beirut. He later moved to the University of Michigan, graduating with an Economics Degree.
He returned home in 1978 and was appointed Chief of the Ruler’s Court before becoming Chairman of Ras Al Khaimah Municipal Council in 1986. In this period, HH Sheikh Saud founded RAK Ceramics and restructured Julphar Pharmaceuticals and Stevin Rock to ensure both became the industry leaders they are today.
HH Sheikh Saud was named Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah on 14 June 2003. In this role he oversaw the introduction of free zones, efficient business licensing procedures and offshore corporate registration.
On 27 October 2010, after the passing of his father H.H. Sheikh Saqr (May he rest in Peace), HH Sheikh Saud became the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. As Ruler, he has continued to expand and diversify Ras Al Khaimah’s economic base and improve the quality of its social services, while working hard to make high-quality education and healthcare services available to all the Emirate’s population.
HH Sheikh Saud received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Bolton, UK, in 2010; an Honorary Fellowship of the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research in India, in 2013; and an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Economics from Incheon National University, South Korea, in 2018, a year in which he was also named Visionary Leader of the Year by Arabian Business.
About Ras Al Khaimah:
Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), the fourth largest Emirate in the UAE, is distinguished by its natural diversity, rich history and forward-thinking vision under His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi. With a commitment to sustainable development, economic prosperity, social development and innovation, RAK has become an ideal place to live, work and invest.
Strategically located between East and West – with one third of the world’s population within four hours’ flying time – RAK is a gateway to the Middle East and beyond. Its economy is diverse, with no single sector accounting for more than 23% of GDP. RAK offers a business-friendly environment with customizable services, competitive operating costs, 100% foreign ownership, zero personal income tax and one of the world’s lowest corporate tax rates. With world-class infrastructure, RAK is home to over 73,000 companies, including industry leaders such as RAK Ceramics and Julphar. RAKEZ and Innovation City support dynamic growth across industrial, manufacturing and digital sectors, backed by a future-focused economy validated by ‘A’ range credit ratings since 2008 from Fitch and S&P.
RAK has a multicultural society of 0.4 million people from 150 countries, offering a high quality of life, accessible luxury living and a serene coastal lifestyle, with bold hospitality projects led by signature luxury global brands, such as Wynn, Four Seasons, Nobu, Waldorf Astoria and Ritz-Carlton. Projects such as RAK Central will redefine the commercial and residential landscape, while its natural beauty (UAE’s highest mountain, beaches and deserts) and rich cultural heritage – dating back 7,000 years – further enhance RAK’s universal appeal.
With year-round sunshine, straightforward business set-up, a competitive cost of living and high quality of life, Ras Al Khaimah offers limitless opportunities.
