DUBAI - China has become the top trading partner of a key free trade zone in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), an official said Friday.

In 2015, China's total trade volume with the Jebel Al Free Trade Zone Authority (Jafza) reached 46.4 billion dirham ($12.64 billion), according to Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman and CEO of the world's third biggest maritime port operator Dubai Ports and Chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation.

Jafza controls the Jebel Ali Free Zone, the second largest industrial free zone in the UAE.

Bin Sulayem also noted that the UAE has been one of China's biggest export markets in the region for many years.

He continued that the free zone plays a crucial role in taking Chinese goods and products to different countries throughout the world.