Video: Sheikh Mohammed gives interview to Chinese TV

The UAE has ambitious plans to become a role model for the world and the Middle East - in education, health, technology - in all fields, said His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in an interview to CCTV, a Chinese TV channel, which was aired on Friday.

There was a sense of pride and achievement as Sheikh Mohammed spoke of the determination of the people of Dubai, which was once a small trading hub.

.@HHShkMohd: Dubai was once small, but the determination of its people was great. Now, we look to Dubai becoming the 'perfect city.' We want it to serve as a model for countries that wish to evolve. And for me, the word 'impossible' doesn't exist, it was invented by the weak. pic.twitter.com/AdURSrP2Yo

- Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) November 1, 2019

.@HHShkMohd in exclusive interview with China's predominant state broadcaster @CCTV: We are the sons of this desert, it is our treasure. For some, the desert is arduous and dangerous, but for us, we know it well and it has taught us valuable lessons. pic.twitter.com/JLzlia4tWm

- Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) November 1, 2019

.@HHShkMohd in interview with China's @CCTV: More than 10 years ago, I held a lecture at the Gulf University in Bahrain, in which I said that global power is heading East - and by that I meant China. China will lead the global economy. pic.twitter.com/1pthZZaPgd

- Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) November 1, 2019

.@HHShkMohd tells @CCTV: I have seen China's fast rise in construction, education, civilization and technology. This is what we learn from. There are many points of convergence between China and the UAE and this is why we consider China an exemplar model. pic.twitter.com/QqMLQRq6bo

- Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) November 1, 2019

.@HHShkMohd tells @CCTV: I respect the Chinese President, I have met with him more than once and I see him as an exemplary model of leadership, if only some leaders would learn from him. Thanks to him, China today has many friends and it is he who lead this openness. pic.twitter.com/JVRf2eJQ5C

- Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) November 1, 2019

.@HHShkMohd tells @CCTV: The Silk Road is highly important for us in the UAE. We have allocated $3bn to contribute to this mega project. The Chinese President has revived the Silk Road, which connects the West with the East and vice versa. pic.twitter.com/Uc6JR2Vc2r

- Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) November 1, 2019

.@HHShkMohd tells @CCTV: We were the first to initiate and support the Silk Road project. We manage 77 ports around the world, and this project is important to us, and investing in it will be a benefit for all. pic.twitter.com/3Ppv2Mfi1P

- Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) November 1, 2019

"We consider Dubai to be the perfect city. We want it to be the best in the world, a model for other cities to emulate."

He reiterated his message of optimism and progress and said: "For me, there is no impossible. The word impossible was invented by the weak because they did not want to work."

Sheikh Mohammed said the UAE is different because it welcomes people from all walks of life, from all over the world.

????????? ?????? ??????? CCTV ??? ?? ???? ?????? ? ?????? ?????? ???????? ?????? ????? ?? ???? ????? ????? ???? ?? ???? ?? ?????. pic.twitter.com/3HkEoIsVxe

- Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) November 1, 2019

????????? ?????? ??????? CCTV ??? ?? ???? ?????? ? ?????? ?????? ???????? ?????? ????? ?? ???? ????? ????? ???? ?? ???? ?? ?????. pic.twitter.com/Avhiz8Xai7

- Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) November 1, 2019

The UAE is successful because it has learnt from the harsh desert environment which gives people a deeper meaning about life, he said.

"We are the sons of this desert. We live there. Our tribes come from the desert.

The desert is a treasure and has helped fulfill our hopes and aspirations.

"For some, the desert is arduous and dangerous, but we understand this environment. We see it differently and we thrive from it."

He said the Chinese development model has inspired the UAE which is keen to be part of Beijing's Silk and Road Project.

"We have allocated $3 billion to contribute to the project. We manage 77 international ports, and this project will boost connectivity and further our engagement with the world."

He said China had hosted Expo in 2010, which was a huge success, and the UAE and Dubai is set to host a memorable Expo next year.

"We promised the world that Expo 2020 would be the best in the world. We have many surprises in store," he told the channel's correspondent who he drove across the city during the interview.

He lauded Chinese President Xi Jinping for his vision and said world leaders should learn from his leadership style. 

news@khaleejtimes.com