China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed an agreement on judiciary assistance in civil and business fields in Beijing Wednesday.

The judiciary agreement is expected to play an important role in enhancing bilateral relations, maintaining social order and regular trade of the two countries, said Chinese Minister of Justice Zhang Fusen at the signing ceremony.

China and the UAE have seen a rapid progress in politics and trade exchanges since the establishment of diplomatic ties, and conducted sound cooperation in various fields, said Zhang. China is willing to join hands with the UAE to push forward the long-term, stable and healthy Sino-UAE cooperation.

Zhang said, based on the agreement on extradition signed in May2002 between the two countries and the agreement signed Wednesday, China pledges to further expand judiciary cooperation with UAE, notably cooperation in the criminal sector.

As two developing countries, China and the UAE are working to promote judiciary reform in a bid to safeguard citizens' legitimate rights and economic and social order, said Zhang.

Source: Xinhua