Oil and gas, renewables, storage and environmental industries
A report cited by UA.NEWS outlines how China balances regional energy security and substantial commercial assets in the GCC against the backdrop of US-Iran hostilities. While China has drawn down strategic petroleum reserves and mitigated gas shocks through pipelines and renewables, Gulf Cooperation Council members and Iraq remain its primary regional economic and energy partners.
An analysis by The National reports that China is balancing strategic shifts from the US-Iran conflict while prioritising the safety of its extensive investments across the UAE and GCC. The publication notes that the GCC nations and Iraq are collectively far more vital to China as trade partners and energy suppliers than Iran. China has also mitigated energy disruptions through strategic oil reserves, domestic power diversity, and overland pipeline gas.
Chinese business membership in the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre expanded by 9.4% over the past 12 months, exceeding 1,000 companies. Over 60% of these firms operate in advanced sectors, while UAE-China non-oil trade reached $111.5 billion in 2025.
Asian crude oil imports are projected to reach 23.96 million barrels per day in September 2026, supported by shipments from Arabian Gulf exporters. China increased purchases to 8.93 million barrels per day in August 2026, marking a 6.2 percent month-on-month rise. Tanker tracking data confirms an ongoing recovery in maritime energy flows connecting Gulf terminals to Chinese refineries.
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