On April 20, 2004, Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council met with Sheik Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and major officials accompanying him at the Great Hall of the People.

Wen said that relations between China and the UAE have undergone considerable progress since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries 20 years ago. The two sides treat each other as equals politically and have mutually beneficial cooperation in economy and trade, with the bilateral trade volume rapidly surging. Friendly cooperation in other areas between the two sides is also expanding and the two countries have conducted sound cooperation in international affairs. China appreciates the adherence by the UAE to the one-China policy and hopes that relations between the two countries can achieve further development.

Hamdan forwarded a letter written by UAE President ZAYID bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan to Chinese President Hu Jintao. He congratulated China upon its huge achievements and said that the UAE cherishes its friendship and cooperation with China and would like to take various measures to enhance the relations between the two countries in every field.