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Bilateral trade between China and the UAE reached $108 billion in 2025, establishing the UAE as China's largest Middle East export market. More than 6,650 active Chinese companies were registered with Dubai Chambers by late September 2026. Major firms, including Meituan, J&T Express, and Baidu, have recently expanded their operations and infrastructure in Dubai.
Global SWF data reveals sovereign wealth funds invested $14.2 billion into China and Hong Kong in early 2026, led by UAE entities. Separately, the UAE Cabinet issued Decision No. 149 of 2026 revising VAT input tax apportionment rules.
Global sovereign wealth funds deployed $14.2 billion into mainland China and Hong Kong during the first nine months of the year, a 190 percent increase over full-year 2025 volumes. Four Gulf sovereign funds accounted for nearly 70 percent of the total, led by Saudi Arabia's PIF and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. Allocations targeted high-growth sectors including artificial intelligence hardware, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, and consumer brands.
On October 22, 2026, Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met with an official UAE leadership delegation in Beijing. The two sides discussed aligning China's 15th Five-Year Plan with the 'We the UAE 2031' vision to broaden trade and technological investments.
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