China and the United Arab Emirates are poised to further strengthen their trade and economic relations, building on rapidly expanding bilateral cooperation. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China is ready to enhance alignment between its 15th Five-Year Plan and the development strategies of Middle Eastern countries, according to a statement issued after his recent visit to three countries in the region.
UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi highlighted that strategic cooperation between the UAE and China continues to grow under the guidance of both countries’ leadership. He noted that non-oil trade between the two sides exceeded $90 billion in 2024 and is expected to surpass $100 billion this year.
Alongside booming trade, bilateral investment is also set to expand, with logistics emerging as a key area of cooperation.
Major UAE ports and free trade zones have already established partnerships with their Chinese counterparts. The launch of island-wide special customs operations at China’s Hainan Free Trade Port has made it increasingly attractive for UAE companies to establish a presence in China.
At the same time, Chinese firms are using the UAE as a strategic hub to access broader regional and global markets. Looking ahead, China is expected to host the second China–Arab States Summit in 2026, paving the way for further cooperation between China and the UAE across multiple sectors.
