"Mom, if I excel in my exams next year, could we visit the United Arab Emirates?" asked 11-year-old He Yuda at the May Fourth Square in downtown Qingdao on Saturday.

The boy was among Chinese tourists taking pictures with UAE performers showcasing the traditional Al-Razfa dance, a popular art featuring about 20 performers clad in white robes, brandishing delicate bamboo canes and replica rifles, moving in sync to the rhythmic beat of drums.

"Sure we can," said the mother as her son enters sixth grade in September. They are interested in the UAE's exotic culture and intrigued by such content on Douyin, she said.

Omar Alshehhi, an Emirati performer, said: "Everyone I met in Qingdao was nice; it will be an unforgettable experience. I like the cool weather in this modern city with many skyscrapers."

Their performance marked one of the festivities commemorating the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the UAE, with Qingdao as the inaugural venue. The three-day event concluded on Sunday.

The UAE has emerged as China's largest trading partner in the Arab region. Since 1984, the two countries have made significant advancements across various sectors, with non-oil trade soaring nearly 800-fold, according to the UAE embassy.

"Qingdao, a captivating coastal city, holds a special allure for Emiratis," said Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, the UAE's ambassador to China. He highlighted the extensive exchanges between the UAE and Qingdao in trade, tourism and culture.

The state visit by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to China in late May has paved the way for further strengthening UAE-China ties, he said, as the joint statement vows a bilateral trade volume of $200 billion by 2030.

He credited the countries' successes to visionary leadership, efficient governance and the unwavering commitment of both people toward a prosperous future.

"Our collaboration has reached unprecedented heights, with these shared values serving as the pillars of our achievements and future partnership," he said. He also said similar celebrations will be held this year in various Chinese cities, including Shanghai, Guangzhou and Beijing.

Noting that both countries are participants in the Belt and Road Initiative, Zhang Hui, deputy secretary of the Communist Party of China Qingdao Municipal Committee, said Qingdao will leverage its status as a cultural and tourism hub to bolster exchanges with the UAE.

With the strengthening ties, there has also been a growing enthusiasm among Emiratis for Chinese culture.

Zhuo Jiameng, chief representative of Dubai Chamber's Shanghai office, noted a growing trend of her UAE colleagues studying Chinese and using it on social media platforms such as WeChat.

"We aim for a sustainable exchange and such mutual cultural understanding is vital for our business endeavors," she said.