The Dubai Business Associates programme has welcomed 23 professionals from 15 countries for its 12th cohort after receiving 14,600 applications globally. Participants, who include graduates from China's Tsinghua and Peking universities, will complete nine months of business placements and consulting projects across key Dubai public and private sector organisations. The programme is run under Falcon and Associates and has built a network of 350 alumni across 11 previous cohorts.
Abu Dhabi has expanded container terminals and oil storage at the Port of Fujairah under its 'Zero Hormuz' infrastructure initiative to secure direct trade corridors to China outside the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Dubai Chambers and the Greater Bay Area Importers and Exporters Association unveiled the delegation and attendee lineup for the 2026 Dubai Business Forum – China in Shenzhen. Over 90 Dubai officials and senior executives, alongside more than 600 registered Chinese companies, are confirmed to participate in the bilateral event.
Over 100 senior government officials and corporate executives from Dubai will convene in Shenzhen on October 14 for the fifth Dubai Business Forum. Led by Dubai Chambers Chairman Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, the delegation aims to align bilateral opportunities around Dubai's D33 Economic Agenda, cross-border investment, and artificial intelligence. Official bilateral non-oil trade between the UAE and China reached AED 180.7 billion in the first half of 2026.
More than 2,800 exhibitors participated in the Arabian Travel Market 2026 in Dubai, where the "Nihao! China" pavilion facilitated business negotiations between Chinese and foreign tourism entities. Data from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism shows Dubai welcomed 6.97 million international overnight visitors in the first eight months of 2026, with August recording 869,000 visitors. Dubai tourism officials are strengthening partnerships with Chinese digital platforms, including Ctrip, Xiaohongshu, and Meituan, to encourage the return of Chinese travelers.
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