Inward foreign direct investment projects from China into Dubai surged from 11 in 2021 to 91 in 2025, with registered Chinese member companies at Dubai Chambers reaching 6,650. Chinese enterprises including Meituan's Keeta, J&T Express, and Baidu are deepening operational integration within the emirate across logistics and autonomous transport.
Bilateral trade between China and the UAE reached $108 billion in 2025, with Chinese direct investment standing at $2.6 billion. Over 6,650 Chinese companies are registered with Dubai Chambers as firms including Meituan, Baidu, J&T Express, and Huawei scale regional operations.
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.
The fifth Global Digital Trade Expo concluded in Hangzhou, drawing over 50,000 attendees and securing seven bilateral China-Arab cooperation projects valued at $255 million. Concurrently, Chinese direct investment in the UAE reached $2.6 billion amid expanding operations from major Chinese technology firms. Bilateral partnerships also advanced through financial collaboration between Abu Dhabi Global Market and Shenzhen's Futian District, alongside autonomous driving infrastructure in Dubai.
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