Ras Al Khaimah Ruler Calls on Chinese Students to Build Bridges of Understanding During Fuzhou Visit
Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, has urged students at Fuzhou University in China to embrace lifelong learning, strengthen their character and work towards greater mutual understanding between nations. The address formed part of a wider visit to Fujian and Guangdong provinces aimed at deepening cultural and economic ties between the UAE and China.
Address and Message to Students
Speaking to the university audience, Sheikh Saud emphasised the growing connections between the UAE and China and encouraged students to pursue knowledge with vision and lead with integrity. “Ideas, talent and knowledge now travel between our nations almost instantly,” he said. “As these connections grow, we welcome partnerships with students and future leaders like you. We value your input in deciding what our shared future looks like.”
He added that knowledge brings authority but wisdom demands character. “Embrace lifelong learning and treat challenges as opportunities to build resilience. And, above all, use your talents to build bridges of understanding across borders.”
Sheikh Saud concluded his remarks by directly addressing Fuzhou University students: “To the students of Fuzhou University, I say this: study with vision and lead with integrity. The future does not belong to those who wait for it. It belongs to those who prepare for it with discipline, purpose and courage.”
Cultural Landmarks and Historical Links
During the cultural leg of his China tour, the Ruler visited Fuzhou’s Three Lanes and Seven Alleys district, celebrated for its historic architecture and preservation of traditional Chinese heritage. He also toured the Zheng He Historical Relics Exhibition Hall, which commemorates the maritime explorer’s voyages and the region’s historical role in global trade.
These visits highlighted long-standing cultural and commercial connections between China and Ras Al Khaimah. Archaeological finds in the emirate, including 13th-century Yuan Dynasty porcelain previously noted by Ras Al Khaimah’s Department of Antiquities, serve as tangible evidence of the ancient maritime trade routes that linked South China with Julfar, the historic port that preceded modern-day Ras Al Khaimah.
Meeting Emirati Students in Guangzhou
In Guangzhou, Sheikh Saud met with three Emirati students pursuing studies in China, accompanied by Mariam Alshamsi, UAE Consul General in Guangzhou. The students were Zayid Alkalbani, studying at Jinan University, and Maha Alketbi and Shaikha Alhebsi, both studying at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou). The Ruler discussed their academic experiences and future aspirations, underscoring the importance of education in the UAE’s ongoing development.
The student meeting and cultural engagements reflect a shared history of exchange and cooperation along the Maritime Silk Road. The week-long tour, which saw Sheikh Saud lead a delegation from Ras Al Khaimah to cities in Guangdong and Fujian provinces, aimed to build on existing cultural and economic partnerships between the two countries.
