Follow the trade, investment and partnerships bringing China and the UAE closer together.
The Saudi Central Bank has concluded its formal participation in Project mBridge following the completion of its proof-of-concept phase. The multilateral central bank digital currency project remains co-anchored by the People's Bank of China, the Central Bank of the UAE, and the BIS Innovation Hub.
Gulf technology firms and institutional investors are opening secondary operational bases in Hong Kong and Singapore amid regional tensions. A dual-hub model is being adopted to direct Middle Eastern capital into Asian AI data centres and multicurrency payment rails. Dubai-based trading platform xBratAI advanced its Hong Kong expansion to early 2026 due to regional conflict.
An analysis published by Eurasia Review details growing vulnerabilities across Gulf energy export infrastructure amid ongoing regional hostilities. The commentary notes that alternative transit options such as Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline have faced disruption, leaving no completely insulated route for regional oil and gas. Rising maritime insurance rates and chokepoint risks pose significant economic exposure for top Asian destinations, including China.
ADNOC Drilling is prepared to expand UAE crude oil production capacity beyond its 5 million barrels per day target if requested by parent firm ADNOC, according to CFO Youssef Salem. The company highlighted supply relationships with rig manufacturers from China and international technology partners. Operations have maintained a 98% rig availability rate despite regional shipping disruptions.
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