Follow the trade, investment and partnerships bringing China and the UAE closer together.
The 25th edition of The Airport Show opened at the Dubai World Trade Centre on 12 October 2026, running through 14 October. The exhibition convenes more than 150 exhibitors from over 30 countries showcasing airport technology, digital transformation, and aviation security solutions. Dubai officials emphasized ongoing investments across the emirate's airport ecosystem to support trade and passenger growth.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced that Dubai Chambers is leading Dubai's largest economic delegation to China to attend the Dubai Business Forum – China in Shenzhen on October 14. Bilateral non-oil trade between Dubai and China reached AED 363.5 billion by 2025, marking a 172-fold increase over 35 years. China currently stands as Dubai's largest trading partner globally.
French artificial intelligence startup Mistral unveiled its new model, Mistral Large 4, at an event in Abu Dhabi on October 6, 2026. Mistral CEO Arthur Mensch stated the open-weight system surpasses Chinese competitors in specific areas, including cybersecurity. The announcement follows Mistral's move in August 2026 to offer Beijing-based Z.ai's GLM 5.3 model to its customers.
Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects has awarded a AED 10 billion ($2.7 billion) contract for the West Terminal substructure at Al Maktoum International Airport to a joint venture of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and Abu Dhabi-based Tristar Engineering & Construction. The 800,000-square-metre facility will span seven levels and accommodate 45 million passengers annually once complete. The project transitions the airport's $35 billion initial expansion phase into its core construction stage.
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