The red carpet has been unfurled and the finishing touches at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi have been made for China President Xi Jinping's three-day state visit.
Chinese state broadcaster CGTN were given rare access inside the Palace that will be the setting for the welcoming ceremony on Thursday evening.
Palace staff were seen making minor tweaks to the walkway and tending to signs.
The Presidential Palace, located next to Emirates Palace hotel on the north-west tip of Abu Dhabi island, has been the reception site for since March. Recent visits by head of states include Japan's Prime Minister, the Presidents of Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and South Korea and the Chancellor of Austria.
It's most recent visitor was Cyril Ramaphosa, the President of South Africa.
Mr Xi is expected to land by early evening. Rolling coverage of the highly anticipated visit will be beamed to millions both in China and throughout the Middle East.
His visit coincides with UAE-China Week, a celebration of Chinese culture and a key UAE-China Economic Forum on Friday.
