A commodities report showed Chinese smelters raised output and export volumes to balance supply shortfalls in the Persian Gulf. Regional logistical disruptions and energy constraints have sidelined hundreds of thousands of tons of Gulf smelting capacity. Gulf-based producers account for roughly one-tenth of global aluminum manufacturing output.
Global sovereign wealth funds deployed $14.2 billion into mainland China and Hong Kong during the first nine months of the year, a 190 percent increase over full-year 2025 volumes. Four Gulf sovereign funds accounted for nearly 70 percent of the total, led by Saudi Arabia's PIF and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. Allocations targeted high-growth sectors including artificial intelligence hardware, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, and consumer brands.
The UAE Federal Tax Authority and Planet Tax Free have implemented a fully digital VAT refund system for departing travelers. The new framework cuts processing times from nine days to one business day for refunds up to Dh35,000.
On October 22, 2026, Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met with an official UAE leadership delegation in Beijing. The two sides discussed aligning China's 15th Five-Year Plan with the 'We the UAE 2031' vision to broaden trade and technological investments.
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