Innovation hub

Speaking of Dubai, he said, "I think it's the most innovative city in the Middle East, and GAC has set up a sales and service center there."

Commenting on the importance of Dubai in the company's business expansion, Wei said: "Dubai is the gateway to the Middle East market. It's a crucial component in our strategy to succeed in the region."

Dubai has bonded zones and provides resources and facilities that can radiate to the surrounding areas, he says.

Wei, who often visits Dubai, also finds a lot in common between the sister cities.

"In a sense, sister cities mean two cities develop hand in hand. I foresee the two cities working more closely deeper in transportation so that we and our partners in Dubai can improve travel and the lives of people in general."

One of the areas both cities are working on promoting is autonomous driving.

Guangzhou started to conduct trial operations of autonomous driving in 2018, and the company WeRide was one of the pioneers. Since then Guangzhou has adopted policies related to autonomous driving, carried out road testing and provided institutional support for the industry to grow.

At an event in Guangzhou on July 5, Han Xu, chief executive of WeRide, hailed the pioneering and innovative spirit of Guangzhou, saying many policy innovations in China's autonomous driving field were first implemented in the city, and that autonomous driving has become a "business card for Guangzhou's new quality productive forces".

The UAE is also at the forefront of technological advances, particularly in transportation.

One of the most ambitious plans is the Dubai Autonomous Transportation Strategy, which aims to transform 25 percent of all transportation in the city to autonomous modes by 2030.

In July last year, WeRide was granted the UAE's first and only national license for self-driving vehicles, enabling it to test and operate its autonomous vehicles on public roads across the country. It now operates the largest driverless taxi fleet in the UAE, with more than 20,000 orders.