Emaar Properties to build Chinatown at Dubai Creek Harbour. Emaar’s landmark development is one of a series of moves aimed at strengthening UAE-Chinese relations.
The company made its announcement to coincide with the visit of President Xi Jinping of China to the UAE. “The visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to the UAE is historic,” said Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties. “It will further strengthen UAE-China relations, underpinned by initiatives such as the UAE-China Week announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.”
The retail precinct at Dubai Creek Harbour will become the Middle East’s largest Chinatown. The aim is to honour Chinese expatriates in the UAE and further bolster business links with China. Dubai Creek Harbour is a six-square-kilometre mega-development, just ten minutes from Dubai International Airport and the Burj Khalifa.
The location is home to the new Dubai Creek Tower, an eye-catching new monument. The district will feature a wide range of Chinese stores and brands alongside global fashion brands. It also encompasses elegant homes and spectacular views of the city skyline, waterfront and the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary.
Dedicated pavilions in Chinese cities
Emaar has also announced that it will launch dedicated pavilions in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou – all three cities are connected to Dubai by Emirates Airline. All three are set to promote tourism, education, trading and investment between UAE and China.
Expansion of luxury hotel brand Address Hotels + Resorts
The owner of the iconic Burj Khalifa is also expanding its hospitality business into China with the luxury Address Hotels + Resorts brand. Emaar says the aim is to develop and operate Address branded hotels in key cities around the country, citing that the brand enjoys strong appeal and familiarity amongst Chinese tourists.
Strong links between China and UAE
Emaar’s new initiatives are building on strong Chinese investment in the UAE. They also centre on the continuing growth of Chinese visitors to the UAE, helped by the visa-on-arrival status granted to Chinese nationals in 2016.
China is a large visitor source market for Dubai and has grown by nine per cent in the past year. Chinese visitors prefer Emaar’s hotels for their central location and easy access to popular lifestyle destinations such as The Dubai Mall.
“The UAE and China share strong bilateral trade and cultural relations,” said Alabbar. “These are bolstered by the presence of over 200,000 Chinese citizens who live in the UAE and the hundreds of thousands of Chinese visitors that the nation welcomes annually.”
He said that the development of the new Chinatown and Emaar’s expansion into China, “highlight our commitment to the country, and our focus on contributing to the strength and success of UAE-China relations.”
