TOPIC

/ location

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

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

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

China-South Korea relations

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

12 Dec 2025 - 6:48AMvideocam

Huawei

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

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

Sheikh Mana bin Khalifa Al Maktoum (third from left) and Adrian Cheng (centre), pictured at a signing ceremony on Wednesday in Dubai. Photo: Handout

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

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

Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Grand Complication High Jewellery – Moon Dust; Sir David Beckham is knighted while Lady Victoria Beckham sports a Patek Philippe haute joaillerie watch; GPHG announces winners in Geneva. Photos: Handout/Xinhua

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

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

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

Samsung’s Galaxy Z TriFold smartphone is shown during a launch event in Seoul on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Ukraine war

Zelensky ready to advance US-backed Ukraine plan as Trump softens on deadline

US president backs away from his initial November 27 peace plan deadline as he dispatches aides to see Putin and the Ukrainians.

26 Nov 2025 - 12:13PM

US President Donald Trump said he will hopefully meet with Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin when a deal is in the ‘final stages’. Photo: AFP

SCMP Highlights

China-Japan ties deteriorate; airlines cancel flights: SCMP daily highlights

From Beijing-Tokyo tensions escalating to China strengthens its global drone dominance, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

24 Nov 2025 - 9:45PM

Saudi Arabia

The China factor behind Trump’s decision to upgrade Saudi air power

The deal swaps F-35 jets for ‘guardrails’ on Chinese tech in the Gulf, analysts say – with Israel assured its military edge is safe.

24 Nov 2025 - 5:30PM

China exports

China strengthens global drone dominance with record orders at Dubai Airshow

The country already dominates global patent applications for drones, one report shows, and manufacturers are rapidly expanding overseas.

24 Nov 2025 - 11:42PMvideocam

Workers prepare the EHang eVTOL EH126-S to fly in Guangzhou in southern China’s Guangdong province on November 3. Photo: AP

Canada

Carney: global economic ‘centre of gravity’ shifting away from US

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the world can make progress on a range of issues without the US, following consensus reached at a G20 leaders’ meeting.

23 Nov 2025 - 9:03PM

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives for the second day of the G20 Leaders’ Summit at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg on Sunday. Photo: AFP

India

‘Dramatic failure’: Tejas crash deals blow to India’s jet export ambitions

The mishap came as rival Pakistan signed a deal for export of JF-17 Thunder fighter, which it co-developed with China.

23 Nov 2025 - 4:28PMvideocam

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police arrest man over stealing credit cards on flight from Abu Dhabi

Source says man, 52, arrested at Hong Kong International Airport after two passengers filed reports with authorities.

21 Nov 2025 - 11:50PM

China's military weapons

China’s aerospace giants ride hi-tech boost to drive sales at global air shows

Fighter jets, drones and a performance by L-15 training jets among the Chinese tech displayed at this year’s Dubai Airshow.

21 Nov 2025 - 9:53PM

A full-scale model of a Chinese Wing Loong-X UAV is displayed on November 17, the opening day of the Dubai Airshow 2025. Photo: AFP

India

Indian Air Force pilot dies in Tejas crash during Dubai Air Show demonstration

The pilot had flown across the site several times before the plane appeared to lose control and dive directly towards the ground.

21 Nov 2025 - 10:15PM

Israel-Gaza war

Editorial | Flawed US Gaza peace plan is better than more Palestinian suffering

The US-backed resolution offers a glimmer of hope and perhaps temporary relief, but it is no solution to Israel’s illegal occupation.

21 Nov 2025 - 6:45AM

China's military weapons

China-US-Russia rivalry for Middle East stealth fighter sales on show in Dubai

Analysts say China’s increasingly competitive J-35 is the one to watch among non-US allies as market splits on geopolitical lines.

20 Nov 2025 - 8:11PMvideocam

Models of China’s J-35A and J-10CE fighter jets on display at this year’s Dubai Air Show, which opened on Monday. Photo: Handout

Africa

Trump vows to end Sudan war, in sudden pivot thanks to Saudi crown prince

The US president condemned ‘tremendous atrocities’ in the conflict, which he admitted was previously ‘not on my charts’.

20 Nov 2025 - 7:53AMvideocam

A displaced woman from El Fasher sits with her child as they wait for permission to enter a camp in Al-Dabbah, Sudan, on November 13. Photo: Reuters

Banking & finance

Opinion | Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai: the rise of the ‘family office triangle’

The Asian century will not be written by governments alone but by family offices that can turn opportunity into enduring prosperity.

19 Nov 2025 - 4:30PM

South Korea

Riding on jet success, South Korea chases US$15 billion UAE arms deal

Seoul showcased the fighter jet at the Dubai Air Show, aiming to boost Middle East defence ties and global export ambitions.

19 Nov 2025 - 4:09PMvideocam

Banking & finance

Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia set to launch US$1 billion fund, Paul Chan says

A ‘major Saudi development company’ will host a roadshow in Hong Kong next month to seek strategic partners, financial secretary says.

18 Nov 2025 - 4:58PM

Financial Secretary Paul Chan speaks at the Defining Hong Kong’s Role in the Changing Global Economy conference in Hong Kong on November 18, 2025. Photo: Handout

China's military weapons

China displays latest UAV and fighter jets at the Middle East’s largest air show

Full-scale model of Wing Loong-X UAV makes first defence exhibition appearance outside the mainland as Beijing promotes aviation products.

18 Nov 2025 - 12:00PMvideocam

The 2025 Dubai Air Show held at Al Maktoum International Airport runs from Monday to Friday. Photo: EPA

Ukraine war

Ukraine seeks to bring home 1,200 prisoners in Russia talks

Turkish mediation in 2022 set the rules for coordinated swaps between Ukraine and Russia, who have sporadically exchanged thousands of prisoners.

16 Nov 2025 - 5:02PM

Bhutan

Can Bhutan’s Singapore-inspired ‘mindfulness city’ lure its youth back?

The Gelephu Mindfulness City, which has adopted laws from Singapore and Abu Dhabi, will help boost Bhutan’s economy, an official says.

16 Nov 2025 - 5:01PM

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United Arab Emirates (UAE)

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.

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

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

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.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Zelensky ready to advance US-backed Ukraine plan as Trump softens on deadline

US president backs away from his initial November 27 peace plan deadline as he dispatches aides to see Putin and the Ukrainians.

China-Japan ties deteriorate; airlines cancel flights: SCMP daily highlights

From Beijing-Tokyo tensions escalating to China strengthens its global drone dominance, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

The China factor behind Trump’s decision to upgrade Saudi air power

The deal swaps F-35 jets for ‘guardrails’ on Chinese tech in the Gulf, analysts say – with Israel assured its military edge is safe.

China strengthens global drone dominance with record orders at Dubai Airshow

The country already dominates global patent applications for drones, one report shows, and manufacturers are rapidly expanding overseas.

Carney: global economic ‘centre of gravity’ shifting away from US

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the world can make progress on a range of issues without the US, following consensus reached at a G20 leaders’ meeting.

‘Dramatic failure’: Tejas crash deals blow to India’s jet export ambitions

The mishap came as rival Pakistan signed a deal for export of JF-17 Thunder fighter, which it co-developed with China.

Hong Kong police arrest man over stealing credit cards on flight from Abu Dhabi

Source says man, 52, arrested at Hong Kong International Airport after two passengers filed reports with authorities.

China’s aerospace giants ride hi-tech boost to drive sales at global air shows

Fighter jets, drones and a performance by L-15 training jets among the Chinese tech displayed at this year’s Dubai Airshow.

Indian Air Force pilot dies in Tejas crash during Dubai Air Show demonstration

The pilot had flown across the site several times before the plane appeared to lose control and dive directly towards the ground.

Editorial | Flawed US Gaza peace plan is better than more Palestinian suffering

The US-backed resolution offers a glimmer of hope and perhaps temporary relief, but it is no solution to Israel’s illegal occupation.

China-US-Russia rivalry for Middle East stealth fighter sales on show in Dubai

Analysts say China’s increasingly competitive J-35 is the one to watch among non-US allies as market splits on geopolitical lines.

Trump vows to end Sudan war, in sudden pivot thanks to Saudi crown prince

The US president condemned ‘tremendous atrocities’ in the conflict, which he admitted was previously ‘not on my charts’.

Opinion | Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai: the rise of the ‘family office triangle’

The Asian century will not be written by governments alone but by family offices that can turn opportunity into enduring prosperity.

Riding on jet success, South Korea chases US$15 billion UAE arms deal

Seoul showcased the fighter jet at the Dubai Air Show, aiming to boost Middle East defence ties and global export ambitions.

Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia set to launch US$1 billion fund, Paul Chan says

A ‘major Saudi development company’ will host a roadshow in Hong Kong next month to seek strategic partners, financial secretary says.

China displays latest UAV and fighter jets at the Middle East’s largest air show

Full-scale model of Wing Loong-X UAV makes first defence exhibition appearance outside the mainland as Beijing promotes aviation products.

Ukraine seeks to bring home 1,200 prisoners in Russia talks

Turkish mediation in 2022 set the rules for coordinated swaps between Ukraine and Russia, who have sporadically exchanged thousands of prisoners.

Can Bhutan’s Singapore-inspired ‘mindfulness city’ lure its youth back?

The Gelephu Mindfulness City, which has adopted laws from Singapore and Abu Dhabi, will help boost Bhutan’s economy, an official says.

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