On October 28, 2026, Chinese flying car developer Aridge delivered its first X3-F test aircraft designated for the UAE's low-altitude aviation regulatory sandbox, supervised by the General Civil Aviation Authority. The handover followed a September agreement and took place during a visit by the ruler of Ras Al Khaimah to Aridge's production plant, with trials focused on certification and future inter-emirate flight routes. Concurrently, UBTech Robotics signed a memorandum of understanding with the International Relations Office of the Government of Ras Al Khaimah to test humanoid robots for industrial automation, smart public services, eldercare, and tourism.
Commercial ties expanded further in Dubai across energy and construction sectors. At the WETEX exhibition, DEWA International signed an MOU with China Energy International Group to examine EPC cooperation on major energy, water, and infrastructure initiatives. In property development, China Construction First Group and CSCEC Middle East agreed to jointly construct Dubai Holding's headquarters and the Jumeirah Residences Emirates Towers project.
In the wider region, Shihui International Holdings, a subsidiary of China's Fangda Group, formed a joint venture with Saudi Arabia's IKK Group to secure a contract worth approximately RMB 2.05 billion (USD 307 million) to construct the exterior facade of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium in Qiddiya, Saudi Arabia.
Complementing corporate expansion, Abdulla Bin Damithan, Chairman of Dubai's Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, announced that regulatory arm Trakhees will provide streamlined licensing and inspection procedures for merchants at Dubai Dragon Mart. Bilateral exchanges also continued with UAE Ambassador Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi welcoming a 32-member Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Talent delegation in China, while HKTDC Chairman Frederick Ma concluded a GCC mission promoting Hong Kong as an investment conduit between China and the Gulf.
Sources
- UECN · 2026-10-28
