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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

Chinese researchers have proposed using bamboo as a sand barrier in the north of the country. Photo: Handout

SCMP Highlights

Chinese analysis on US-Iran war claims; bamboo vs desertification: 7 highlights

From a 10-hour A380 ordeal in China to a repaid 1947 wartime grain debt, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

1 hour ago

Hangzhou

Video | Emirates passengers stuck on tarmac in China for 10 hours

30 Jul 2026 - 7:11PM

United Nations

Opinion | Can the gigacities of tomorrow keep human connection alive?

29 Jul 2026 - 8:30PM

China’s private sector

China’s ATRenew has big plans for Hong Kong’s little-known phone trading hub

New York-listed firm aims to modernise the city’s opaque wholesale market, which sits at the centre of a vast global network for used devices.

29 Jul 2026 - 3:00PM

Customers browse used devices at the newly opened ReRe outlet in Hong Kong. Photo: Handout

Banking & finance

Editorial | China’s drive to sidestep weaponised Western finance gains speed

Use of a multilateral central bank digital currency platform and a broader panda bond market will help China and other nations reduce reliance on the West.

29 Jul 2026 - 6:45AM

US, Israel war on Iran

Iranian missile salvoes and US-Saudi strikes shatter brief Middle East lull

Joint air strikes hit Tehran-backed militia sites in Iraq after dozens of drone and missile attacks across the region.

29 Jul 2026 - 6:55PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Oman offers Iran Gulf-backed plan for voluntary fees to use Hormuz

Under the proposal, Iran will not exercise sole control and fees would be voluntary, a system analogous to ‌one in place on Asia’s Strait of Malacca.

28 Jul 2026 - 11:00PMvideocam

A vessel at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

China travel

All went wrong: A380 flight to China becomes 10-hour ordeal

The rare sight of an Emirates Airbus at Hangzhou became chaotic as 373 passengers were left stranded on board amid a logistical nightmare.

30 Jul 2026 - 10:44AMvideocam

Mainland China

China’s battery makers fight over Middle East energy-storage market

BYD, Sungrow win contracts for storage at massive UAE solar plant, as EV battery makers seek better margins selling storage systems.

28 Jul 2026 - 2:00PM

Indonesia

Why Indonesia needs legal trust, not tax cuts, to build a finance hub

From Singapore to Dubai, global capital favours predictable courts over tax breaks. Experts say Jakarta should take note.

27 Jul 2026 - 8:00AM

A woman walks past Singapore’s financial business district on May 19. Photo: AFP

International Property

Demand for Dubai homes cools as Iran war drags on

Sales volumes fell markedly in May and June, according to Knight Frank, with rising costs adding to developers’ woes.

26 Jul 2026 - 6:00PM

A luxury sports car is driven through Dubai’s Marina district on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Indonesia

Indonesia’s plan for a rival to Singapore starts to take shape

A new law lays the legal groundwork, but economists warn governance will decide the financial centre’s fate.

26 Jul 2026 - 8:00AM

US, Israel war on Iran

Houthi blockade of Saudi trade threatens wider Middle East conflict

As Houthi attacks disrupt Red Sea shipping, analysts warn of ‘brinkmanship’ that could yet spiral into all-out conflict.

25 Jul 2026 - 4:00PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump throws Saudi nuclear deal into doubt with Israel recognition demand

White House says pact hinges on Riyadh joining Abraham Accords, a condition analysts say the kingdom is unlikely to accept.

24 Jul 2026 - 3:26PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a meeting in Riyadh in May 2025. Photo: AFP

IPO

Zhongji sets highest subscription threshold in Hong Kong IPO history

Zhongji sets an IPO city record for minimum lot price, which may price out retail investors though institutional demand remains strong.

23 Jul 2026 - 5:00PM

The Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing in Exchange Place in Central on July 21. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong, UAE airport checks could speed up alerts on viruses, study shows

HKU study finds that focusing on transit passengers at key hubs could significantly improve early detection timelines.

22 Jul 2026 - 8:00PM

Banking & finance

Chinese bank touts digital currency platform’s largest transfers yet

Bank of China uses mBridge for two cross-border transfers worth more than US$1.7 billion each, as CBDC platform gathers momentum.

22 Jul 2026 - 4:03PM

Middle East

Trump approves Saudi nuclear deal that could allow uranium enrichment, AP sources say

Deal is expected to last 30 years, with US firms helping the kingdom develop a civil nuclear industry.

22 Jul 2026 - 4:25PM

President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House on Tuesday. Photo: AP

US, Israel war on Iran

US retaliates against Iran’s Revolutionary Guard over killing of American troops

The US has targeted bridges and electrical facilities in Iran; Tehran has retaliated by hitting power and desalination plants in Kuwait.

20 Jul 2026 - 6:07AM

US, Israel war on Iran

‘We will not stop’: the UAE’s trillion-dollar trade detour

New terminals offer insurance, but analysts say securing trade ultimately relies on lasting peace, not just pouring concrete.

18 Jul 2026 - 11:00AM

Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific delays Middle East flights as US and Iran trade attacks

Daily passenger flights to Dubai postponed until October 25, and four weekly services to Riyadh delayed to October 26.

17 Jul 2026 - 9:13PM

A Cathay Pacific Airways plane takes off at Hong Kong International Airport. The carrier also announced it would drop its previous plan to resume freighter services to Riyadh from August 1, without specifying a new resumption date. Photo. Sam Tsang

Fintech

China-UAE retail QR payment link to boost the yuan’s global push

Beijing linking its retail payment networks with Dubai is another step toward yuan internationalisation and reducing US dollar reliance.

17 Jul 2026 - 3:00PM

Bank of China (BOC) will act as the exclusive clearing bank for Jaywan, the UAE’s national debit card. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong airport profit falls 16.8% to HK$2b as expenses, salvage operation bite

But passenger throughput, aircraft movements, cargo and airmail volumes all saw growth despite ongoing geopolitical trade tensions.

15 Jul 2026 - 5:09PM

Malaysia

Malaysia’s US$500 million warship set for delivery, minus the missiles

The navy’s first littoral combat ship is arriving later this year without the anti-ship missiles meant to give it offensive teeth.

15 Jul 2026 - 2:56PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump scraps Hormuz toll plan but presses ahead with Iran blockade

In latest flip-flop, US president says Gulf investment deals will replace shipping fee, while restoring blockade targeting Iranian trade.

15 Jul 2026 - 10:01AMvideocam

US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Norwegian chemical tanker hit by projectile off Oman amid US-Iran tensions

Stolt Magnesium ‘suffered from an explosion of an unidentified external device’ that started a fire in the engine room, the company said.

14 Jul 2026 - 8:51PMvideocam

Chemical tanker Stolt Magnesium catches fire following an explosion off the coast of Oman on Tuesday. Photo: Hans-Peter Schroder/Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump’s 20% Hormuz toll jolts markets as Asia adapts to oil shock

Alternative trade routes and an AI tech boom are helping the region cushion the blow of a threatened maritime tariff.

14 Jul 2026 - 6:00PM

Middle East

Yemen’s Houthis fire missiles at Saudi Arabia in biggest flare-up in years

Iran-backed rebels target Saudi Arabia hours after accusing the kingdom of launching strikes against the international airport in Sanaa.

14 Jul 2026 - 2:19PM

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United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Chinese analysis on US-Iran war claims; bamboo vs desertification: 7 highlights

From a 10-hour A380 ordeal in China to a repaid 1947 wartime grain debt, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Video | Emirates passengers stuck on tarmac in China for 10 hours

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Can the gigacities of tomorrow keep human connection alive?

China’s ATRenew has big plans for Hong Kong’s little-known phone trading hub

New York-listed firm aims to modernise the city’s opaque wholesale market, which sits at the centre of a vast global network for used devices.

Editorial | China’s drive to sidestep weaponised Western finance gains speed

Use of a multilateral central bank digital currency platform and a broader panda bond market will help China and other nations reduce reliance on the West.

Iranian missile salvoes and US-Saudi strikes shatter brief Middle East lull

Joint air strikes hit Tehran-backed militia sites in Iraq after dozens of drone and missile attacks across the region.

Oman offers Iran Gulf-backed plan for voluntary fees to use Hormuz

Under the proposal, Iran will not exercise sole control and fees would be voluntary, a system analogous to ‌one in place on Asia’s Strait of Malacca.

All went wrong: A380 flight to China becomes 10-hour ordeal

The rare sight of an Emirates Airbus at Hangzhou became chaotic as 373 passengers were left stranded on board amid a logistical nightmare.

China’s battery makers fight over Middle East energy-storage market

BYD, Sungrow win contracts for storage at massive UAE solar plant, as EV battery makers seek better margins selling storage systems.

Why Indonesia needs legal trust, not tax cuts, to build a finance hub

From Singapore to Dubai, global capital favours predictable courts over tax breaks. Experts say Jakarta should take note.

Demand for Dubai homes cools as Iran war drags on

Sales volumes fell markedly in May and June, according to Knight Frank, with rising costs adding to developers’ woes.

Indonesia’s plan for a rival to Singapore starts to take shape

A new law lays the legal groundwork, but economists warn governance will decide the financial centre’s fate.

Houthi blockade of Saudi trade threatens wider Middle East conflict

As Houthi attacks disrupt Red Sea shipping, analysts warn of ‘brinkmanship’ that could yet spiral into all-out conflict.

Trump throws Saudi nuclear deal into doubt with Israel recognition demand

White House says pact hinges on Riyadh joining Abraham Accords, a condition analysts say the kingdom is unlikely to accept.

Zhongji sets highest subscription threshold in Hong Kong IPO history

Zhongji sets an IPO city record for minimum lot price, which may price out retail investors though institutional demand remains strong.

Hong Kong, UAE airport checks could speed up alerts on viruses, study shows

HKU study finds that focusing on transit passengers at key hubs could significantly improve early detection timelines.

Chinese bank touts digital currency platform’s largest transfers yet

Bank of China uses mBridge for two cross-border transfers worth more than US$1.7 billion each, as CBDC platform gathers momentum.

Trump approves Saudi nuclear deal that could allow uranium enrichment, AP sources say

Deal is expected to last 30 years, with US firms helping the kingdom develop a civil nuclear industry.

US retaliates against Iran’s Revolutionary Guard over killing of American troops

The US has targeted bridges and electrical facilities in Iran; Tehran has retaliated by hitting power and desalination plants in Kuwait.

‘We will not stop’: the UAE’s trillion-dollar trade detour

New terminals offer insurance, but analysts say securing trade ultimately relies on lasting peace, not just pouring concrete.

Cathay Pacific delays Middle East flights as US and Iran trade attacks

Daily passenger flights to Dubai postponed until October 25, and four weekly services to Riyadh delayed to October 26.

China-UAE retail QR payment link to boost the yuan’s global push

Beijing linking its retail payment networks with Dubai is another step toward yuan internationalisation and reducing US dollar reliance.

Hong Kong airport profit falls 16.8% to HK$2b as expenses, salvage operation bite

But passenger throughput, aircraft movements, cargo and airmail volumes all saw growth despite ongoing geopolitical trade tensions.

Malaysia’s US$500 million warship set for delivery, minus the missiles

The navy’s first littoral combat ship is arriving later this year without the anti-ship missiles meant to give it offensive teeth.

Trump scraps Hormuz toll plan but presses ahead with Iran blockade

In latest flip-flop, US president says Gulf investment deals will replace shipping fee, while restoring blockade targeting Iranian trade.

Norwegian chemical tanker hit by projectile off Oman amid US-Iran tensions

Stolt Magnesium ‘suffered from an explosion of an unidentified external device’ that started a fire in the engine room, the company said.

Trump’s 20% Hormuz toll jolts markets as Asia adapts to oil shock

Alternative trade routes and an AI tech boom are helping the region cushion the blow of a threatened maritime tariff.

Yemen’s Houthis fire missiles at Saudi Arabia in biggest flare-up in years

Iran-backed rebels target Saudi Arabia hours after accusing the kingdom of launching strikes against the international airport in Sanaa.

Video | Emirates passengers stuck on tarmac in China for 10 hours

Opinion | Can the gigacities of tomorrow keep human connection alive?