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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

Husband and wife William Soo and Stephanie Kwok, who relocated to Qatar in 2017. Photo: Emily Hung

Hong Kong society

‘Opportunity I could not let pass’: Hong Kong expats embrace life in Qatar

Despite facing cultural adjustments, Hongkongers are discovering unexpected benefits of relocating to Islamic country.

55 minutes ago

Video gaming

Chinese esports giant NIP sets global targets with Abu Dhabi expansion

18 May 2025 - 12:07PM

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong trade bodies urged to learn from Qatar to enhance investor services

17 May 2025 - 10:01PM

US-China relations

Senior US Democrat slams ‘horrible’ reversal of AI rule as helping China

Trump administration’s move to rescind Biden-era prohibitions said to enable Saudi Arabia, UAE to make advanced chips ‘available’ to Beijing.

17 May 2025 - 10:27PMvideocam

US congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, an Illinois Democrat, is the ranking member of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. Photo: Reuters

Donald Trump

Trump caps Gulf tour with America-first policy for peace in Middle East

Trump’s vision sits well with the UAE and Saudi Arabia, two Gulf nations closest to Washington, but its feasibility remains to be determined, analysts say.

16 May 2025 - 9:00PMvideocam

United States

‘Enough for Gaza for weeks’: US aid cuts leave food decaying in warehouses

Vital items for hungry people in need have been stuck inside US government warehouses since January’s decision to cut global aid programmes, sources say.

16 May 2025 - 6:21PMvideocam

Middle East

Trump wraps up his Middle East tour with deals galore

The US president made scoring business deals a centrepiece of the first major foreign trip of his second term.

16 May 2025 - 5:17PM

President Donald Trump during a visit to Al Udeid Air Base in Doha, Qatar on Wednesday. The US base installation is the centre of American involvement in the Middle East. Photo: AP

Aviation

Trump announces US$14.5 billion Etihad commitment with Boeing, GE Aerospace

White House on Thursday said Abu Dhabi-based Etihad will buy 28 American-made Boeing 787 and 777X aircraft powered by GE engines.

16 May 2025 - 7:00AM

Donald Trump

UAE to build biggest AI campus outside US, bypassing past China worries

Deal is a major win for the UAE, which has been trying to balance its relations with ally US and largest trading partner China.

16 May 2025 - 1:54PM

Middle East

Trump says ‘getting close’ to deal to avoid Iran military action

Iran has held four rounds of talks with the Trump administration, which has sought to avert threatened military action by Israel.

15 May 2025 - 9:54PMvideocam

A newspaper with a cover photo of US President Donald Trump and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, in Tehran. Photo: via Reuters

Hong Kong economy

Number of visits to Hong Kong arts hub jumped 19% last year, hitting 15 million

West Kowloon Cultural District aiming to continue trend this year with local events and international collaborations to entice visitors.

15 May 2025 - 9:29PM

Events such as the Sip & Groove@WestK featuring music, alcoholic beverages and local snacks helped draw visitors to the arts hub. Photo: May Tse

US-China relations

In Saudi Arabia, US and China vie for influence and the kingdom wins: analysts

Donald Trump’s recent ‘landmark’ deals with Riyadh valued at US$600 billion described as pledges rather than guarantees of investment.

15 May 2025 - 5:49AMvideocam

Middle East

Opinion | Why Gulf countries are fertile ground for Chinese EV makers’ growth

The region could serve as a staging ground for Chinese carmakers seeking to bypass tariff-related disruptions and access Western markets.

15 May 2025 - 5:30AMvideocam

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong secures visa-free entry to UAE, eased rules for Oman

Chief Executive John Lee is on the last day of his delegation’s ‘fruitful’ tour in which city signed 59 MOUs and agreements with Qatar and Kuwait.

14 May 2025 - 11:19PM

Chief Executive John Lee (fourth from left) at a business luncheon in Kuwait. Photo: Handout

Artificial intelligence

Chinese AI stalwart Zhipu eyes expansion on back of Belt and Road Initiative

Zhipu AI’s plan reflects intensifying efforts by both Chinese and US companies to widen the global adoption of their AI systems.

14 May 2025 - 7:00PM

Artificial intelligence

Trump’s Mideast visit clears path for advanced AI chip deals led by Nvidia

The deals are taking shape, while Trump visits the Middle East to forge deeper ties that put US technology initiatives at centre stage.

14 May 2025 - 5:56PM

China travel

Foreigners flock to China’s Shenzhen as visa-free entries surge 160%

Visa-free policies have helped the southern tech hub become a popular destination for overseas tourists, particularly from elsewhere in Asia.

14 May 2025 - 5:00PMvideocam

Donald Trump

Trump signs US$142 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia during Gulf trip

The White House described it as the largest-ever weapons deal, although Trump in his first term trumpeted a larger, longer-term figure.

13 May 2025 - 11:37PM

US President Donald Trump with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during an arrival ceremony in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Photo: AP

Family offices

Why multifamily offices could yield bigger benefits for Hong Kong

Hong Kong can boost its economy, create jobs and generate positive global image with multifamily offices, Raffles Family Office CEO says.

13 May 2025 - 8:30AM

Ukraine war

China’s absence from talks on Ukraine shows ‘real limits’ of its leverage

Chinese officials said to have been ‘anxious’ about US-Russia negotiations, but observers don’t see Washington drawing Moscow from Beijing.

12 May 2025 - 6:13PMvideocam

Donald Trump

Trump plans to accept luxury 747 ‘gift’ from Qatar to use as Air Force One

The ‘flying palace’ would possibly be the most expensive gift ever received by the US government.

12 May 2025 - 7:47PM

President Donald Trump boards Air Force One for a trip. Photo: AP

Hong Kong economy

‘Not surprised’ snooker star Ronnie O’Sullivan may leave Hong Kong: senior official

Director of Immigration Benson Kwok says city faces stiff competition in luring talent after player indicates possible move.

11 May 2025 - 10:38PM

Ronnie O’Sullivan reacts during his semi-final match against China’s Zhao Xintong earlier this month. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

Saudi Aramco profits drop in first quarter as uncertainty rises

Aramco had expected to declare total dividends of US$85.4 billion in 2025, down sharply from last year’s payout of over US$124 billion.

11 May 2025 - 6:02PM

Hong Kong science and tech

How Hong Kong helped a mainland Chinese driverless tech firm expand to Mideast

UISEE CEO Wu Gansha, who will meet Hong Kong delegation in Qatar, says city played pivotal role in the company’s global expansion.

12 May 2025 - 1:17PM

Donald Trump

Golf courses, skyscrapers, crypto: Trump family’s Mideast business booms

Analysts said signing commercial deals with the US president is an easy route to political influence.

11 May 2025 - 2:24PMvideocam

High-rise buildings in Dubai, UAE. Photo: Reuters

India-Pakistan tensions

India-Pakistan conflict halts IPL, sparks panic buying, travel cancellations

Amid India-Pakistan tensions, panic buying has gripped border towns, with citizens stocking up on groceries, medicines, and petrol fearing shortages.

10 May 2025 - 11:37AMvideocam

Indian paramilitary soldiers with a sniffer dog patrol at a marketplace in Srinagar on Saturday. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong society

South China Morning Post collects 12 prizes at Hong Kong News Awards ceremony

Chief Executive John Lee also urges journalists to uphold professionalism amid increased protectionism and hegemony globally.

9 May 2025 - 8:04PM

India-Pakistan tensions

Pakistan hits India’s western border, forcing flight suspensions at 24 airports

The Indian army said it repulsed drone attacks along the frontier, a charge Islamabad called ‘baseless’.

9 May 2025 - 3:04PMvideocam

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