Chinese autonomous driving companies including WeRide, Baidu Apollo Go, and Momenta are expanding commercial robotaxi deployments in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The rollouts align with Dubai's goal of making 25 percent of mobility trips driverless. Bilateral cooperation was formalized through a digital economy and AI memorandum of understanding signed by UAE and Chinese ministries.
Gulf sovereign wealth funds accounted for 62 percent of the US$10.3 billion attracted by China from state-owned investors in 2024. Capital flows are concentrating in finance, downstream petrochemicals, renewables, logistics, and digital infrastructure amid supportive regulatory reforms.
China's annual outbound direct investment reached $213.58 billion, up 11.1 percent year-on-year, according to Ministry of Commerce data. The UAE served as the top regional recipient in the Middle East, attracting $2.6 billion in net direct investment. Total Chinese direct investment stock in the UAE expanded to $12.47 billion, led by logistics, renewable energy, and digital infrastructure.
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