Official economic data reported on September 29, 2026, indicated that China's annual outbound direct investment reached $213.58 billion, representing an 11.1 percent increase year-on-year. Outbound investment flows directed toward the Middle East more than doubled, with the United Arab Emirates standing as the primary regional recipient after securing $2.6 billion. According to data reported by the UAE-China Chamber of Commerce, this capital inflow represents more than triple the direct Chinese investment volume recorded in the UAE during the prior year.
Alongside expanding investment flows, several major Chinese energy and technology enterprises—including Sinopec, CNPC, CNOOC, CATL, and Envision Energy—confirmed substantial commercial delegations to Abu Dhabi. The influx reflects growing Chinese participation across UAE energy infrastructure and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Chinese consumer technology operators are also deepening their presence in the UAE market. Meituan's international food-delivery brand Keeta entered the UAE in September 2025 and established operations across all seven emirates by the end of that year, making the UAE its second-largest Middle East market behind Saudi Arabia. Keeta currently employs over 350 staff in the UAE, with local hires comprising 80 percent of its workforce, and initiated commercial drone-delivery trials in Dubai in late 2024.
Restaurant-software provider Syrve MENA reported that restaurant delivery orders in the UAE increased by 15.2 percent in the first half of 2026. Meituan reported that Keeta's Saudi Arabia operations reached profitability in July 2026, following stable profitability achieved in Hong Kong by August 2026.
Sources
- UAE-China Chamber of Commerce · 2026-09-29
