Through TRENDS’s virtual office in Beijing, it participated as a strategic partner at the activates of UAE-China 2nd Think Tank Forum, held in the Chinese capital on September 23–24, 2025. Organized by the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the People’s Republic of China, the forum was held under the theme ‘Building Bridges and Driving Innovation’.

The forum was attended by His Excellency Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, UAE Ambassador to China; His Excellency Abdullah Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Tourism; His Excellency Chen Wenqing, Director of the Department of West Asia and North Africa at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and a number of senior officials, as well as representatives of think tanks, research institutions, and academic institutions from both countries. The forum discussed prospects for cooperation and strengthening intellectual and cultural ties between the UAE and China.

TRENDS was represented at the forum by a research delegation that included Abdulaziz AlShehhi, Senior Researcher and Deputy Head of the Research Sector; Sultan Al Rubaei, Senior Researcher and Head of the TRENDS International Training Institute; and Dr. Musa Kim, Director of the TRENDS South Korea Office.

The TRENDS delegation emphasized that participating in this forum represents a qualitative addition to the center’s efforts to consolidate its position as a knowledge bridge linking Emirati think tanks with their Chinese counterparts. They emphasized that the forum constitutes an important platform for exchanging visions, formulating innovative ideas to address common global challenges, and enhancing the cultural and research dialogue between East and West.

Abdulaziz AlShehhi emphasized that the forum represents a strategic platform for exchanging ideas on the shared future of the UAE and China, particularly amid rapid international changes. He noted that think tanks are pivotal in building bridges of understanding between countries and peoples. They also contribute to anticipating solutions to global challenges, making them essential partners for decision-makers by providing knowledge and analysis.

However, Sultan Al Rubaei explained that TRENDS places great importance on enhancing cooperation with Chinese research centers that serve the common interests of both countries. He pointed out that the center took the initiative to launch its office in Beijing to serve as a permanent platform for academic and research cooperation, and to support researchers and scholars interested in UAE–China relations.

In his address at the forum, the researcher and writer Mohammed Al-Sawafi emphasized that UAE–China relations represent an advanced model of cooperation built on trust and mutual understanding. He noted that the forum is essential in deepening this cooperation through intellectual and cultural dialogue. He further stressed that think tanks’ role extends beyond producing studies; they act as bridges between people and decision-makers, making them key contributors to building a more stable and prosperous future.

The TRENDS delegation expressed its appreciation for the efforts of the UAE Embassy in organizing the forum, stressing that the initiative reflects a deep belief in the critical role of think tanks in today’s world. It also demonstrates the depth of the historical, cultural, and economic ties between the UAE and the People’s Republic of China, which are constantly renewed through dialogue and joint initiatives in various fields.

TRENDS’ participation in the forum included a pavilion featuring a range of research studies. The research delegation provided guests at the pavilion with an explanation of the work of TRENDS Research & Advisory, its research specializations, and its various publications.