Shanghai Monument unveiled at Zaabeel Park

The ceremony was also attended by the Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Dubai Mr. Gao Youzhen, Assistants to the Director General of Dubai Municipality, Directors of the Departments and Heads of Sections in the Municipality, members of the Chinese delegation that accompanied Mr. Guoqin and a host of officials from the Chinese Consulate.

The monument, set up as part of the sister city agreement signed between Dubai and Shanghai, represent replicas of different landmarks and high rises of the city of Shanghai such as the Oriental Pearl Tower, Jin Mao Tower, World Financial Centre, Shanghai Centre (this 638 metre tower is still under construction), Chinese Construction Bank, Chinese Pavilion of Expo 2010, Park Hotel, Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, Chinese Customs Building in Shanghai and the Yang Pu Bridge.

Setting up of the Shanghai Monument in Zaabeel Park, which is one of the most important tourist attractions situated in the heart of the city of Dubai, is considered part of the different sister city agreements signed by Dubai with major cities of the world including Istanbul, Beirut, Detroit, Osaka etc.

Welcoming the Chinese delegation Mr. Lootah said that monuments of the cities, with whom Dubai has signed sister city agreements, are currently being constructed inside Zaabeel Park.

He said the Shanghai Monument is a sign of strong relationship between the two cities. "As per the Sister City Agreement, we are having close cooperation with Shanghai in various areas. The setting up of the monument in one of the most important parks of Dubai is a sign of strong relationship between the two cities," he said.

Lootah said that more cities that have signed sister city agreements with Dubai will be setting up monuments in Zaabeel Park, including Beirut. The Park already has monuments of Vienna and Osaka.

Mr. Guoquin said the monument not only represents the present Shanghai, but also the future city, which is fast becoming an important hub of international business in the 21st century.

He also expressed his appreciation of the great boom witnessed by Dubai in various areas of development.

Mr. Guoquin gave a brief description of the buildings represented in the sister city monument, adding that the buildings represent the different stages of the development of the city of Shanghai.