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United Arab Emirates (UAE)

The latest news, analysis and opinion on United Arab Emirates (UAE). In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Abu Dhabi

Head of State

President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Head of Government

Prime Minister Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

A customer makes a payment using China’s digital currency, or e-CNY, at a store in Beijing. Photo: Getty Images

Yuan

China expands digital-yuan push to Singapore and Asean trade routes

PBOC pledges to integrate e-CNY into the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, boost adoption in Southeast Asia via China’s CIPS payment network.

24 Dec 2025 - 7:30PM

India

India’s gem exports defy US tariffs as Asia, Middle East demand grows

24 Dec 2025 - 4:00PMvideocam

Singapore

Business class thief jailed after targeting Singapore Airlines passengers

24 Dec 2025 - 9:17AM

US-China trade war

Explainer | Will US-led ‘Pax Silica’ be a new dawn for the international AI supply chain?

Trump administration aims for deeper technology cooperation on new AI infrastructure with allies.

25 Dec 2025 - 1:05AMvideocam

Representatives of the “Pax Silica” signatories hold signed documents at a summit held in Washington on December 12. The initiative is America’s new vision for the international AI supply chain. Photo: Getty Images/AFP

Ukraine war

Opinion | How the West’s sanctions against Russia are fuelling a protracted war

For hubs of transit trade from Armenia to the UAE, economic self-interest is best served by having sanctions on Russia in place indefinitely.

23 Dec 2025 - 4:30PM

China technology

Chinese team smashes robot rival as sparks fly at Abu Dhabi showdown

Deep-Sea Shark 3, built by China’s Fierce Roc team, kicks some bot at the Battle of the Robots at Abu Dhabi’s Games of the Future.

23 Dec 2025 - 7:00AM

TikTok

Exclusive | TikTok owner ByteDance’s valuation hits US$500 billion as US plan advances

Figure marks a record for China’s tech giant, which will divest its US entity into a joint venture that includes Oracle and Silver Lake.

22 Dec 2025 - 9:00PM

Investors are happy as ByteDance can continue to reap earnings from TikTok in the US, according to a source. Photo: Reuters

France

Macron announces new aircraft carrier for France

Replacing the Charles de Gaulle by 2038, the nuclear-powered vessel will be far larger than the current flagship.

22 Dec 2025 - 1:44PMvideocam

India

Why India to Europe trade corridor is stalling even as talks continue

A key hurdle hampering the progress of the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor is the lingering uncertainty over Gaza.

21 Dec 2025 - 5:00PM

Britain

Starmer pressured to intercept Andrew Tate in Dubai over UK rape charges

The self-described misogynist will appear at a Dubai boxing match this weekend, while facing civil action in the UK from four women alleging assault and rape.

20 Dec 2025 - 7:13PM

Andrew Tate leaves the Bucharest Tribunal in Romania in February 2024. Photo: AP

New World Development

Rosewood opens French ski resort after sources say hotel brand is not for sale

Luxury hotel group announces Courchevel resort’s opening, just days after sources said the prized brand was not for sale.

19 Dec 2025 - 6:56PM

General view of the Rosewood Hong Kong hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Dickson Lee

China-Middle East relations

China’s Wang Yi urges UAE to help close free-trade deal with Gulf states bloc

Chinese foreign minister is on a three-nation Middle East tour and met Emirati counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Friday.

13 Dec 2025 - 9:10PM

Donald Trump

Syria’s year of ‘epic’ transformation earns it Trump’s protection

Washington is lifting sanctions and has rebuked Israel for its attacks, as the US throws its weight behind Ahmed al-Sharaa’s administration.

13 Dec 2025 - 4:00PMvideocam

Blockchain

Coins in sand: how the UAE draws in the global crypto community

At Abu Dhabi Finance Week, insiders give credit to the UAE’s regulatory infrastructure and institutional adoption of digital assets.

12 Dec 2025 - 9:00AM

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, started regulating cryptocurrencies in 2018. Photo: Shutterstock

China-South Korea relations

Why South Korea poses a major challenge to China’s Middle East arms export drive

Both neighbours hope to expand exports to the region, but the Koreans may be better placed due to systems integration and political concerns.

12 Dec 2025 - 6:48AMvideocam

Huawei

China’s Huawei ramps up foldable handset battle with global launch of Mate X7

Huawei held nearly 70 per cent of China’s foldable smartphone market in the first three quarters, according to research firm IDC.

12 Dec 2025 - 10:41AM

International Property

Hong Kong scion Adrian Cheng forms retail venture with Dubai group

Joint venture will connect ‘the consumers and rich cultural industries of the Middle East and Chinese-speaking markets’ at Dubai’s Wafi City.

11 Dec 2025 - 7:40PM

Climate change

Opinion | How Hong Kong can distinguish itself as a climate finance hub

The city should lead by directing capital to projects that modernise grids, electrify transport and accelerate green supply chains.

9 Dec 2025 - 9:30AMvideocam

Hong Kong already ranks among the world’s leading financial centres and leads Asia in green and sustainable bond issuance. Photo: Sam Tsang

Artificial intelligence

AI spending helps save global economy under threat of trade war, IMF director says

AI investment, especially in the US, helped mute the impacts of increased tariffs, Jihad Azour says at Abu Dhabi Finance Week.

8 Dec 2025 - 10:25PM

Timepieces

November’s hottest watch moments, from awards to celebrity wrist candy

Victoria Beckham picked a special watch for Sir David Beckham’s knighting, and Chopard and Vacheron Constantin unveiled exciting new creations.

6 Dec 2025 - 2:00PM

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong’s religious communities unite in prayer to mourn Tai Po fire victims

Muslims and other faith groups express solidarity and sorrow for victims of deadly blaze at Wang Fuk Court.

5 Dec 2025 - 7:29PM

The Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong held a special prayer session at Kowloon Mosque in Tsim Sha Tsui to pay respect to the victims of the Tai Po fire. Photo: Dickson Lee

Middle East

Opinion | Why Gulf region’s dreams of aviation domination are built on sand

While Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Istanbul’s plans are already aggressively ambitious, Saudi Arabia’s extravagant vision seems like something from fantasyland.

5 Dec 2025 - 4:30PM

A plane prepares for take-off at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 05, 2023.

Smartphones

Samsung unveils its first multi-folding phone as competition set to heat up

The launch of the Galaxy Z TriFold marks Samsung’s bid to reinforce its footing in a segment where Chinese rivals have been gaining ground.

2 Dec 2025 - 12:00PM