From 14 to 16 November 2025, the 7th “UAE National Festival of Tolerance and Coexistence,” hosted by the UAE Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence, was held at Umm Al Emarat Park in Abu Dhabi. The festival aimed to showcase the UAE’s spirit of diversity and inclusiveness and to promote cross-cultural exchange. China was invited to serve as the Guest Country of Honor for this edition. UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence Sheikh Nahyan and Zhang Yiming, Chinese Ambassador to the UAE, attended the opening ceremony and delivered remarks. Thousands of participants, including members of the UAE royal family, senior government officials, diplomats from various countries in the UAE, and local residents, were present.
To celebrate China serving as the Guest Country of Honor, the opening ceremony featured the screening of the themed video “China and the Arab World Hand in Hand,” produced by the UAE side. The stage performances and the Chinese cultural booth organized by the China Cultural Center in the UAE became highlights of the event. The Quanzhou Normal University Art Troupe presented Xinjiang Uyghur dance “Meshrep,” Nanyin pieces “Wind Hits the Pear” and “Galloping Horse,” and the dance “Zanhua Circle.” Among them, the Chinese ethnic dance medley “China Dancing Together” closely echoed the festival’s theme of “tolerance and coexistence,” vividly showcasing the diverse integration of Chinese ethnic cultures and leaving a strong impression on the audience. Sheikh Nahyan took the initiative to take photos with the performers. Martial arts enthusiasts from Abu Dhabi also performed balanced and powerful martial arts demonstrations, showcasing the cultural meaning of Chinese martial arts that values harmony, earning rounds of applause.
As the Guest Country of Honor, the Chinese cultural booth decorated with big red lanterns and Chinese knots was placed in the first position among all national booths and became a key “check-in spot.” Visitors actively asked questions about posters featuring Chinese culture and videos of tourist destinations. The interactive “Quiz and Win” area attracted enthusiastic participation. A Chinese calligraphy teacher wrote Chinese names for visitors on site, conveying friendship through brush and ink. The Chinese-style snack area served Chinese desserts and milk tea, allowing guests to taste oriental flavors, with Chinese milk tea becoming a popular item at the event.
On 16 November, as the concluding program of the Festival of Tolerance and Coexistence, the Guest Country of Honor tree-planting event was held at the “Garden of Tolerance” in Abu Dhabi. Ambassador Zhang Yiming and Sheikh Nahyan jointly planted trees representing China and the UAE, symbolizing the everlasting friendship between the two countries and expressing the shared hope of promoting mutual learning and exchange among civilizations.
