Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum met in Dubai Tuesday with visiting Mayor of Chinese city of Shanghai Han Zheng over ties between Dubai, the business hub of the region and Shanghai, China's business and financial hub.

During the meeting, Sheikh Mohammed said the relationship between Dubai and Shanghai is "long-standing and historic to the standard of true partnership."

He also congratulated the friendly government and people of China on the resounding success of Beijing Olympic Games which concluded on Aug. 24.

Han Zheng expressed hopes that Shanghai and Dubai, which are sister cities, will further boost the friendly relations between the two cities.

Han Zheng also invited Sheikh Mohammed to attend the World Expo Shanghai which will be held between May and October, 2010.

Focusing on the theme "Better City, Better Life," the World Expo Shanghai is expected to attract 70 million visitors around the world.

(Xinhua News Agency August 27, 2008)