Explore the industries creating new opportunities for cooperation across both markets.
Each industry contains news, briefs, research and interviews.
Khaldoon Al Mubarak has come under the spotlight as the Manchester City financial breaches controversy impacts UK-UAE relations. Al Mubarak serves as the UAE's presidential special envoy to China, managing director and group CEO of Mubadala, and chairman of City Football Group. Reports indicate that major Emirati investments in the UK could be jeopardised by the ongoing Premier League dispute.
Dubai-based real asset firm ROX Capital Group has launched the ROX Gulf Energy Storage Platform to advance utility-scale and commercial storage projects in the UAE and Oman. The platform will identify and deploy diverse battery chemistries and long-duration storage technologies while assessing regional assembly and manufacturing opportunities. ROX plans to partner with established technology providers to participate in upcoming regional storage tenders.
Chinese autonomous driving firms including WeRide, Baidu Apollo Go, and Momenta are accelerating commercial robotaxi deployments across Abu Dhabi and Dubai. These rollouts align with Dubai's 25 percent driverless trip target and follow a bilateral MoU signed by the UAE and China to expand cooperation in digital infrastructure, AI, and smart transportation. Official data also shows over 14,500 Chinese business licenses active in the UAE.
The Drewry World Container Index reached $4,434 per 40ft container in early October 2026, marking a roughly 154 percent year-on-year increase. Despite an easing of Red Sea routing and a 68 percent rebound in Suez transits, China-to-Gulf shipping rates remained elevated due to disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz. Ocean carrier Maersk has implemented emergency surcharges, constraining capacity between Chinese ports and Gulf hubs like Jebel Ali.
Policy updates, China–UAE business news and industry insights, delivered to your inbox.
Membership
Tell us about your experience and connection to UAE–China business. UECN assesses your application and offers the right membership category — fees are shared privately with your offer.
We send you a one-time sign-in link — your answers are saved as you go.
