China

Industry News

Gulf Conflict Strains Petrodollar Foundations as Trade Ties Tilt Toward Asia

A commentary by Reuters columnist Mike Dolan examines how regional conflict and shifting trade patterns are testing the traditional petrodollar system. According to U.S. Treasury data cited in the analysis, Saudi Arabia and the UAE hold nearly $250 billion in U.S. Treasuries, while Deutsche Bank notes Saudi oil exports to China are now four times larger than those to the United States. The piece highlights growing scrutiny over non-dollar settlements, including the petroyuan, and the evolving economic alignment between Gulf producers and Asian markets.

China–UAE News

Mubadala Prioritises Asia and China Expansion Alongside UAE Tech and Logistics Projects

Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala plans to maintain an annual investment scale of 39 billion US dollars, targeting expanded asset allocation in China, South Korea, India, and Japan. Simultaneously, the UAE and Qatar have launched major commercial and technology initiatives, including a 1.8 billion AED expansion at Dubai CommerCity and preparations for Doha to host the World Investment Forum.

China–UAE News

US and China Compete for AI and Cloud Infrastructure Across the Gulf

Chinese technology investments in the Gulf Arab states are increasingly intersecting with American technology footprints, particularly across the UAE and Saudi Arabia. While China supplies cloud services, 5G networks, and smart-city systems, the US provides advanced graphics processing units and leading foundation models. Both regional governments are simultaneously pursuing sovereign computing capabilities while balancing partnerships across both ecosystems.

Industry News

Gold Gains as Oil Declines and China Steps Up Central Bank Buying

Gold prices moved higher as declining crude oil prices eased inflation worries and spurred hopes of a pause in US Federal Reserve interest rate hikes. In the UAE, retail gold prices held firm with 24-karat trading at Dh505.50, while China's central bank accelerated gold purchases alongside inflows into gold-backed ETFs.