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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

China’s President Xi Jinping welcomes Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Beijing on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

China-Middle East relations

Xi’s meeting with Abu Dhabi crown prince highlights Gulf turn towards China

Analysts said the trip was a sign that the UAE was seeking ‘more reliable partners’ in the wake of the US-Israeli war on Iran.

6 hours agovideocam

SCMP Highlights

Japan’s sakura season rift, Singapore’s Hormuz stance: 7 Asia highlights

14 Apr 2026 - 3:15PM

Pakistan

Minister says Pakistan ‘committed’ to repay US$3 billion loan from UAE

14 Apr 2026 - 8:51AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

China says open Hormuz key to global interests as Trump blockade looms

Beijing’s foreign ministry denies that China plans to provide weapons and military tech to Iran.

13 Apr 2026 - 9:44PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump has said that the “the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz”. Photo: Nasa Earth Observatory/AFP

Banking & finance

HSBC stays the course in the Middle East despite war

The bank will continue to invest in the UAE, alongside India, China and Singapore, says Surendra Rosha, co-CEO for Asia and the Middle East.

13 Apr 2026 - 6:17PM

SCMP Highlights

Hormuz oil crisis hits China; a family of dentists: 5 weekend reads you missed

From how Pakistan paid the price for mediating in the Iran war to a family of dentists, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

13 Apr 2026 - 12:12PM

Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific and HK Express cut some flights as jet fuel prices rise

Cathay reduction affects flights mainly on regional routes, along with some services to Australia, South Asia and South Africa, from May 16 to June 30.

11 Apr 2026 - 10:56PMvideocam

On March 26, Cathay Pacific announced it would increase its fuel surcharge for all flights by 34 per cent from April. Photo: Eugene Lee

US, Israel war on Iran

How the Gulf conflict recast risks for Asian investors in Dubai

Asian firms that use Dubai as a launch pad into the Middle East are weighing new threats to liquidity, logistics and confidence.

13 Apr 2026 - 10:16AMvideocam

Pakistan

UAE pulls US$3.5 billion from Pakistan after Iran war mediation

As Abu Dhabi signals its displeasure with Islamabad, analysts say other indebted partners will be watching closely.

11 Apr 2026 - 12:18PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

US-Iran talks leave Gulf states on edge about the price of peace

The six GCC nations worry that the US will prioritise Tehran’s needs and leave the Gulf monarchies vulnerable to Iranian retaliation.

10 Apr 2026 - 7:01PMvideocam

Police officers walk towards the president’s official residence in Islamabad, as Pakistan prepares to host the US and Iran for peace talks on Friday. Photo: Reuters

War and conflict

Opinion | China’s role in the Iran-US ceasefire reflects its strategic distance

In taking a back seat in de-escalation efforts with Pakistan, China is decoupling its influence from responsibility.

9 Apr 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning answers questions from journalists regarding US attacks on Iran, on March 2, in Beijing. Photo: dpa

US, Israel war on Iran

Why US-Iran truce may not end high airfares and flight disruptions

According to airline bosses, it will still take months for jet fuel supplies and prices to normalise.

9 Apr 2026 - 9:53PMvideocam

Banking & finance

Everest’s US$250 million buy signals rising global appetite for China biotech

Sovereign wealth funds from Singapore and Abu Dhabi join Chinese state capital as cross-border biotech licensing reaches record highs.

9 Apr 2026 - 8:30AM

Thailand

Thailand confirms deaths of 3 cargo ship crew in Gulf attack

The Thai-flagged ship was struck on March 11 while travelling through the Gulf waterway.

8 Apr 2026 - 7:40PM

Smoke rising from the Thai bulk carrier Mayuree Naree near the Strait of Hormuz after an attack on March 11, 2026. Photo: TNS

Middle East

Opinion | For Gulf states, geography is both a generous and treacherous patron

Sandwiched between Iran and Israel, oil-rich transport hubs like the UAE now face the fragility of their newly built economic prosperity.

7 Apr 2026 - 4:30PM

A couple stands looking at the Dubai skyline, with a view of the Burj Khalifa, the worlds tallest building, seen from Creek Harbour on April 3. Photo: AFP

SCMP Highlights

UAE retaliates against Iran, Bali’s spate of murders: 7 Asia highlights

From how UAE is fighting Iran back to a series of murders in Bali, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

7 Apr 2026 - 12:30PM

SCMP Highlights

Chinese-made drone shot in Iran, Australia’s diplomacy pivot: 5 weekend reads

From a Chinese-made drone shot down in Iran to where Hongkongers went over the holidays, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

6 Apr 2026 - 12:30PM

Ukraine war

Ukraine and Syria pledge security cooperation as Zelensky expands Middle East tour

Zelensky and Sharaa discuss drone defence and food security as Kyiv seeks to export its military expertise.

6 Apr 2026 - 9:50AM

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait lose water, energy infrastructure to Iran strikes

Gulf countries have faced repeated drone and missile salvoes over Iran’s accusation that its neighbours allow US forces to carry out attacks from their territory.

6 Apr 2026 - 9:03AM

Robotics

Meter running: CaoCao backs heavy-asset play to scale robotaxis

Geely-backed firm targets 100,000 autonomous vehicles by 2030, banking on tighter control of cars, tech and operations to drive efficiency.

7 Apr 2026 - 6:52PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran attacks Kuwait, Israel after Trump set deadline for deal

Kuwait and Israel say their air defences are responding to the latest attacks from Iran.

5 Apr 2026 - 3:56PMvideocam

Smoke rises at Kuwait’s international airport after a reported Iranian drone strike on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

China's military weapons

Iran points finger at Saudis and UAE after Chinese-made drone was shot down

Tehran says it has shot down a Wing Loong II, which could be proof of ‘active complicity’ in the US-Israeli war.

4 Apr 2026 - 6:13PMvideocam

Iran says a Wing Long II drone has been shot down over its territory. Photo: Dickson Lee

US, Israel war on Iran

UAE squeezes Iranian economic lifeline in retaliation for attacks

The UAE has quietly banned most Iranians from entering the country or transiting its airports, and cracked down on IRGC-related networks.

4 Apr 2026 - 3:00PMvideocam

South Korea

South Korea and Indonesia’s fighter jet is ready. But will it sell?

Only a handful of nations have ever built a supersonic fighter jet from the ground up.

4 Apr 2026 - 10:00AM

US, Israel war on Iran

US can take Strait of Hormuz ‘with more time’, says Trump

The president spoke out online while the UAE’s largest gas plant and a key Kuwait oil refinery were among Iran’s latest targets.

3 Apr 2026 - 9:18PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump speaks in the White House on Wednesday. Photo: via TNS

China-EU relations

China, Europe and why Beijing took a swing at Iran over the Strait of Hormuz

Beijing takes a stand at the United Nations at the closure of shipping lanes.

3 Apr 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

About a fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies usually pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: Getty Images/TNS

US, Israel war on Iran

Human remains found on Thai ship attacked by Iran in Strait of Hormuz

The Mayuree Naree was hit in March after leaving a port in the United Arab Emirates.

3 Apr 2026 - 6:22PMvideocam

Luxury Hotels

On This Day | World’s highest hotel opens in Hong Kong’s West Kowloon in 2011 – SCMP archive

Once the world’s highest hotel, the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong marks 15 years atop the ICC.

3 Apr 2026 - 11:11AM

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United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Xi’s meeting with Abu Dhabi crown prince highlights Gulf turn towards China

Analysts said the trip was a sign that the UAE was seeking ‘more reliable partners’ in the wake of the US-Israeli war on Iran.

Japan’s sakura season rift, Singapore’s Hormuz stance: 7 Asia highlights

Minister says Pakistan ‘committed’ to repay US$3 billion loan from UAE

China says open Hormuz key to global interests as Trump blockade looms

Beijing’s foreign ministry denies that China plans to provide weapons and military tech to Iran.

HSBC stays the course in the Middle East despite war

The bank will continue to invest in the UAE, alongside India, China and Singapore, says Surendra Rosha, co-CEO for Asia and the Middle East.

Hormuz oil crisis hits China; a family of dentists: 5 weekend reads you missed

From how Pakistan paid the price for mediating in the Iran war to a family of dentists, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific and HK Express cut some flights as jet fuel prices rise

Cathay reduction affects flights mainly on regional routes, along with some services to Australia, South Asia and South Africa, from May 16 to June 30.

How the Gulf conflict recast risks for Asian investors in Dubai

Asian firms that use Dubai as a launch pad into the Middle East are weighing new threats to liquidity, logistics and confidence.

UAE pulls US$3.5 billion from Pakistan after Iran war mediation

As Abu Dhabi signals its displeasure with Islamabad, analysts say other indebted partners will be watching closely.

US-Iran talks leave Gulf states on edge about the price of peace

The six GCC nations worry that the US will prioritise Tehran’s needs and leave the Gulf monarchies vulnerable to Iranian retaliation.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | China’s role in the Iran-US ceasefire reflects its strategic distance

In taking a back seat in de-escalation efforts with Pakistan, China is decoupling its influence from responsibility.

Why US-Iran truce may not end high airfares and flight disruptions

According to airline bosses, it will still take months for jet fuel supplies and prices to normalise.

Everest’s US$250 million buy signals rising global appetite for China biotech

Sovereign wealth funds from Singapore and Abu Dhabi join Chinese state capital as cross-border biotech licensing reaches record highs.

Thailand confirms deaths of 3 cargo ship crew in Gulf attack

The Thai-flagged ship was struck on March 11 while travelling through the Gulf waterway.

Opinion | For Gulf states, geography is both a generous and treacherous patron

Sandwiched between Iran and Israel, oil-rich transport hubs like the UAE now face the fragility of their newly built economic prosperity.

UAE retaliates against Iran, Bali’s spate of murders: 7 Asia highlights

From how UAE is fighting Iran back to a series of murders in Bali, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Chinese-made drone shot in Iran, Australia’s diplomacy pivot: 5 weekend reads

From a Chinese-made drone shot down in Iran to where Hongkongers went over the holidays, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

Ukraine and Syria pledge security cooperation as Zelensky expands Middle East tour

Zelensky and Sharaa discuss drone defence and food security as Kyiv seeks to export its military expertise.

UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait lose water, energy infrastructure to Iran strikes

Gulf countries have faced repeated drone and missile salvoes over Iran’s accusation that its neighbours allow US forces to carry out attacks from their territory.

Meter running: CaoCao backs heavy-asset play to scale robotaxis

Geely-backed firm targets 100,000 autonomous vehicles by 2030, banking on tighter control of cars, tech and operations to drive efficiency.

Iran attacks Kuwait, Israel after Trump set deadline for deal

Kuwait and Israel say their air defences are responding to the latest attacks from Iran.

Iran points finger at Saudis and UAE after Chinese-made drone was shot down

Tehran says it has shot down a Wing Loong II, which could be proof of ‘active complicity’ in the US-Israeli war.

UAE squeezes Iranian economic lifeline in retaliation for attacks

The UAE has quietly banned most Iranians from entering the country or transiting its airports, and cracked down on IRGC-related networks.

South Korea and Indonesia’s fighter jet is ready. But will it sell?

Only a handful of nations have ever built a supersonic fighter jet from the ground up.

US can take Strait of Hormuz ‘with more time’, says Trump

The president spoke out online while the UAE’s largest gas plant and a key Kuwait oil refinery were among Iran’s latest targets.

China, Europe and why Beijing took a swing at Iran over the Strait of Hormuz

Beijing takes a stand at the United Nations at the closure of shipping lanes.

Human remains found on Thai ship attacked by Iran in Strait of Hormuz

The Mayuree Naree was hit in March after leaving a port in the United Arab Emirates.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}On This Day | World’s highest hotel opens in Hong Kong’s West Kowloon in 2011 – SCMP archive

Once the world’s highest hotel, the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong marks 15 years atop the ICC.

Opinion | China’s role in the Iran-US ceasefire reflects its strategic distance

On This Day | World’s highest hotel opens in Hong Kong’s West Kowloon in 2011 – SCMP archive