To further strengthen cooperation and communication among people with disabilities in the UAE and China, a joint memorandum of understanding was signed yesterday between the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination and China Disabled Persons’ Federation.

The event was supported by the UAE Embassy to the People’s Republic of China and was attended by Dr. Ali Obaid Al Dhaheri, the UAE ambassador to China; Ni Jian, the Chinese ambassador to the UAE; Zhang Haidi, chairman of China Disabled Persons’ Federation, and Zhou Changkui, federation president, and Abdullah Abdulalee Al Humaidan, secretary-general of the organization, as well as dozens of leaders from both organizations.

“This is an exemplary partnership building on UAE and China bilateral relations, creating synergies for both countries in the humanitarian field,” stated Al Dhaheri said. “This will be a wonderful start for the protection and empowerment of persons with disabilities in both countries.”

Ni stressed China and the UAE share a very close partnership, which creates many opportunities for serving the disabled. He said this year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and the golden jubilee of the UAE. On this occasion, the signing of the MOU between the organizations has a great significance.

Zhang said China and the UAE enjoy a good bilateral relationship. The UAE is an important partner in the Belt and Road Initiative, and an active participant of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum. The federation looks forward to working with the organization in promoting rehabilitation, education, accessibility, and employment of persons with disabilities and jointly advancing developments in both countries.

It was also announced at the event that the two countries will launch a unified dictionary for Chinese and Emirati sign language, The Emirati-Chinese Sign Language Dictionary Project, which aims to promote social and cultural communication between hearing impaired people in the two countries.