China has become the third-largest trading partner of the UAE, with bilateral trade on course to cross the $100 billion threshold in 2024 — a milestone that reflects decades of accelerating economic integration. The "Invest in China" promotional roadshow, held at the Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi on December 11–12, 2024, underscored both nations' ambitions to push those ties even further.
The event was organised by the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China with support from the Chinese Embassy. It drew government officials, sovereign wealth funds, and senior business executives from the UAE and across the Middle East.
UAE-China Trade Reaches $74.5 Billion in Nine Months
By the first nine months of 2024, UAE-China trade volume had already reached $74.5 billion, according to Chinese Ambassador to the UAE, Zhang Yiming. The ambassador highlighted the pivotal role played by UAE sovereign wealth funds — including the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) and Mubadala — in channelling investment into China.
Outside the oil sector, China now controls more than 11 percent of total UAE non-oil trade, making it the UAE's single largest non-oil trading partner. UAE non-oil exports reached $42 billion in the first half of 2024, a year-on-year growth of 3 percent.
Key Figures at the "Invest in China" Roadshow
Prominent attendees at the December event included:
- Ling Ji — Vice Minister of Commerce, People's Republic of China, and Deputy International Trade Representative - Zhang Yiming — Chinese Ambassador to the UAE - Fatima Al Hajri — Head of Investment and Talent Attraction, UAE Ministry of Economy - Mohammed Zainal Al Zarooni — Director of Foreign Investment Development, UAE Ministry of Investment
China's Tech Lead and Growing Arab Investment
Vice Minister Ling Ji highlighted China's dominance in emerging technologies, noting that the country leads globally in AI development and 5G infrastructure, with 4 million 5G stations in operation worldwide. He also pointed to the dramatic growth of Chinese direct investment in the Arab region — rising from $7.3 billion in 2004 to $276.2 billion in 2023 — concentrated in manufacturing, steel, and construction materials.
15,500 Chinese Companies Operating Across the UAE
Fatima Al Hajri of the UAE Ministry of Economy noted that approximately 15,500 Chinese enterprises are currently operating across the UAE in a wide range of sectors. This deep commercial presence reflects the strength of the bilateral relationship and sets the foundation for continued growth beyond the $100 billion trade mark.
The roadshow reinforced that UAE-China economic cooperation — built on energy, technology, logistics, and sovereign investment — is entering a new and more ambitious chapter.
