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Gulf Sovereign Wealth Funds Invest $14.2 Billion in China and Hong Kong

Middle Eastern sovereign funds invested US$14.2 billion in Hong Kong and mainland China during the first nine months of 2026, according to Global SWF. UAE funds ADIA and Mubadala contributed US$2.5 billion and US$800 million, respectively. The capital targeted sectors including advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and consumer markets.

Rooftop of the Bank of China Building in Hong Kong with a New Year greeting billboard
Photo: Dimsum Daily

Data released on October 22, 2026, by advisory firm Global SWF revealed that Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds invested US$14.2 billion into Hong Kong and mainland China during the first nine months of 2026. This figure represents an approximate 190 percent increase compared to the total recorded for the full year 2025.

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund accounted for US$6 billion of the total, while the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority contributed US$2.5 billion, Abu Dhabi's Mubadala directed US$800 million, and the Qatar Investment Authority added US$600 million. Together, these four Gulf sovereign institutions represented nearly 70 percent of all global sovereign capital inflows into Chinese assets during the period.

The investments focused primarily on advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and consumer markets. Andrew Wang, head of consumer private equity at Mubadala, noted that China remains the fund's top pick for consumer investments in Asia, highlighted by Mubadala's September minority stake and board seat acquisition in Luckin Coffee.

Representatives from Granite Asia and Temasek also pointed to expanding opportunities in Chinese robotics, drug research, biotechnology, and consumer brands, where sovereign capital remains concentrated in select large-scale transactions.

Sources

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