The Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council and Huawei celebrated the graduation of 37 UAE nationals from the Nafis International Programme on October 8, 2026. The two-month programme included four weeks of coursework in the UAE and four weeks of hands-on training at Huawei's Shenzhen campus. All graduates attained the Huawei Certified ICT Associate credential in fields including AI and 5G.
Chinese direct investment in the UAE surpassed $12 billion in 2025 as Chinese technology initiatives expanded across cloud computing and digital services. Concurrently, US export rules require Gulf nations to strip Chinese hardware from core networks to maintain access to advanced American AI semiconductors. UAE firms like G42 have removed Chinese equipment, balancing deepening Chinese commercial ties against American technological conditions.
China is increasingly integrating its new quality productive forces framework into Gulf diversification programs, spanning renewable energy, AI, and digital networks. Gulf sovereign wealth funds and technology firms are adjusting their investment strategies amid mounting U.S.-China technological competition and regional risks. Meanwhile, Chinese firms are expanding industrial footprints in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Oman.
Chinese direct investment in the UAE surpassed $12 billion in 2025 as tech firms like Alibaba Cloud expanded data center and AI services. Meanwhile, U.S. policies conditioning access to advanced AI chips on the removal of Chinese core network hardware require Gulf states to navigate conflicting technological relationships. In the UAE, active Chinese technology projects grew to 81 under the Digital Silk Road framework.
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