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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

General view of the Rosewood Hong Kong hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Dickson Lee

New World Development

Rosewood opens French ski resort after sources say hotel brand is not for sale

Luxury hotel group announces Courchevel resort’s opening, just days after sources said the prized brand was not for sale.

3 hours ago

China-Middle East relations

China’s Wang Yi urges UAE to help close free-trade deal with Gulf states bloc

13 Dec 2025 - 9:10PM

Donald Trump

Syria’s year of ‘epic’ transformation earns it Trump’s protection

13 Dec 2025 - 4:00PMvideocam

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

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

China-South Korea relations

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

Both neighbours hope to expand exports to the region, but the Koreans may be better placed due to systems integration and political concerns.

12 Dec 2025 - 6:48AMvideocam

Huawei

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

Huawei held nearly 70 per cent of China’s foldable smartphone market in the first three quarters, according to research firm IDC.

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

The Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong held a special prayer session at Kowloon Mosque in Tsim Sha Tsui to pay respect to the victims of the Tai Po fire. Photo: Dickson Lee

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

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

A Chinese tour group crosses a street in central Tokyo. China has advised its citizens to avoid travelling to Japan. Photo: AFP

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

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

Firefighters work at the site of a crash involving an Indian-made HAL Tejas fighter jet on Friday. Photo: Government of Dubai Media Office/Reuters

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