Chinese financial institutions and corporations expanded their commercial footprints across the United Arab Emirates in early October 2026. China Securities obtained DIFC regulatory approvals, while JD.com's infrastructure unit committed to building a major logistics complex in Abu Dhabi. Cumulative Chinese direct investment in the UAE climbed to $12.47 billion following a $2.6 billion inflow.
Abu Dhabi is advancing an infrastructure initiative named 'Zero Hormuz' to decrease maritime reliance on the Strait of Hormuz. Overseen by sovereign platform L'imad Holding, the project expands container and oil infrastructure in Fujairah to secure trade routes to Asian markets, including China. The strategy coincides with plans to take AD Ports Group private at an estimated $9 billion valuation.
China Securities has secured regulatory authorization to operate in the Dubai International Financial Centre, while JINGDONG Property signed a deal to build a 150,000-square-metre smart logistics facility in Abu Dhabi. Chinese outbound direct investment into the UAE rose to $2.6 billion, pushing cumulative investment stock to $12.47 billion as bilateral non-oil trade crossed $100 billion.
China's direct investment in the UAE reached $2.6 billion, more than tripling compared to the previous reporting year as bilateral non-oil trade crossed $100 billion. China Securities received DFSA regulatory approval to establish a presence in DIFC, where Chinese banks now hold over 30 percent of assets. Multiple major Chinese energy and battery companies are also scheduled to participate in ADIPEC 2026.
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