EN|AR

The People's Republic of China

ChinaEastern Asia
+4:00Hours ahead of the UAE
About the Country

General Information

National Identity
Official Language(s)Standard Chinese (Mandarin / Putonghua)
National CurrencyRenminbi Yuan (CNY)
National Day(s)1 October (National Day)
Capitals
Political / Administrative CapitalBeijing
Economic CapitalShanghai
Cultural CapitalBeijing
Transport & Connectivity
Flight Duration from the UAE≈ 7 – 9 h Direct flights
Primary AirportBeijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Primary PortPort of Shanghai (CNSHG)
Geography
Land Area-
Length of the Coastline14,500 km
Highest PointMount Everest (8,849 m)
Primary Inland Water Body / RiverYangtze River (the world’s third-longest river at 6,300 km, flowing eastward from the Tibetan Plateau through central China and draining into the East China Sea near Shanghai)
ClimateExtremely diverse; tropical in the south to subarctic in the north

Border Countries

AfghanistanBhutanIndiaKazakhstanKyrgyzstanLaosMongoliaMyanmarNepalNorth KoreaPakistanRussiaTajikistanVietnam
14

Last Updated: July 2026Source: Internal Research

Key Facts

China is the world’s fourth-largest country by area, after Russia, Canada and the United States.

China lost its position as the world’s most populous country in 2023 after more than 70 years at the top, as its population began to decline while India’s continued to grow.

China spans five geographical time zones but uses a single official time, Beijing Time. As a result, schools, airports and train stations in some regions operate at unusual hours.

The number eight sounds like the word for “prosperity” in Chinese. The 2008 Beijing Olympics opened on 8/8/08 at 8:08 pm.

China gave the world paper, printing, the compass and gunpowder, inventions that transformed civilisations across the globe.

The Great Wall of China is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. At 21,196 km long, it is the world’s largest man-made structure.

The Chinese New Year is an annual 15-day festival that begins with the new moon and falls between 21 January and 20 February in the Western calendar.

In the Chinese zodiac, each year is represented by one of 12 animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.

The Bailong Elevator in China is the world’s tallest outdoor lift. Located in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in Hunan, it is 326 m (1,070 ft) high.

Pandas can only be found in China. There are only around 1,800 of these endangered bears in the wild, and they are considered a national treasure.

China has the world’s largest installed solar and wind capacity and is the biggest producer and market for electric vehicles. The Three Gorges Dam is the world’s largest power station by installed capacity.

From 1979 to 2016, China had a one-child policy in place, limiting parents to only one child in order to slow the country’s population growth.

Last Updated: July 2026Source: Internal Research

Economic Overview

Macroeconomic Snapshot

GDP, current prices-USD Billions
Real GDP growth-Annual percent change (%)
GDP per capita, current prices-USD per capita
Population-Millions of people
General government gross debt-% of GDP
Income levelWorld Bank classification-

Economic Comparison

IndicatorChinaUAEChinaUAE
GDP, current pricesUSD Billions--
GDP, PPPCurrent int$--
Real GDP growthAnnual percent change (%)--
GDP per capita, current pricesUSD per capita--
PopulationMillions of people--
Unemployment rate% of total labor force--
Inflation rate (avg. consumer prices)Annual percent change (%)--
General government gross debt% of GDP--
Income levelWorld Bank classification--

Foreign Trade

No data available for this section yet.

Political Overview

Leadership

Head of State

H.E. Dr. Xi Jinping

Since March 2013

Vice President

H.E. Han Zheng

Since March 2023

Head of Government

H.E. Li Qiang

Since March 2023

Minister of Foreign Affairs

H.E. Wang Yi

Since July 2023

Minister of Finance

H.E. Lan Fo’an

Since October 2023

Minister of Commerce

H.E. Wang Wentao

Since December 2020

Minister of Defense

H.E. Admiral Dong Jun

Since December 2023

Political Summary

Political System

Unitary one-party socialist republic under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, organised through the “people’s congress” system. The National People’s Congress

NPC, 2,847 deputies) is constitutionally the highest organ of state power; the State Council, led by the Premier, is the executive. Real power rests with the CCP Politburo Standing Committee, headed by General Secretary Xi Jinping.

Ruling Party

Communist Party of China (CCP): Left-wing / Communist (founded in 1921; in power since 1949)

Main Opposition Force(s)

No legal opposition. Eight “democratic parties” (e.g. the Revolutionary Committee of the Kuomintang, China Democratic League and Jiusan Society) hold about 369 NPC seats but formally accept CCP leadership.

Next Presidential Election

Expected in March 2028

Next Legislative Election

March 2028

Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research

Membership in Key Organizations and Blocs

57Organizations
26Member
9Founding Member
15Partner, Observer or Participant
7Not a Member

Last Updated: July 2026Source: Official websites of the respective organizations

Competitiveness Indexes

IndexYearRank Out ofChinaUAE

No index matches.

Bilateral Relations

Diplomatic Relations and Representation

Date of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations1 Nov 198442 years of relations
H.E. Hussein Ibrahim Al Hammadi
UAE Ambassador
H.E. Hussein Ibrahim Al HammadiUAE Ambassador to China · Resident
H.E. Zeng Jixin
Foreign Ambassador
H.E. Zeng JixinAmbassador of China to the UAE · Resident

Last Updated: June 2026Source: MoFA; Internal Research

Consular Information

Tourists
Residents
Students
Golden Visa Holders
China Nationalsin the UAE
----
UAE Citizensin China
----

Main Agreements and MoUs

Agreement / MOUStatusNotes
CEPAComprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
Not Signed
Joint declaration on establishing the China–UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership was signed on 20 Jul 2018.
IPPAInvestment Protection and Promotion Agreement
Ratified
Signed in Jul 1993.Ratified in Sep 1994.
DTADouble Taxation Avoidance Agreement
Ratified
Signed in Jul 1993.Ratified in Jul 1994.
ASAAir Services Agreement
Ratified
Signed and ratified on 14 Sep 1989.
Ratified— Signed and entered into force
Signed— Signed, but entry into force or ratification is pending
Not Signed— No signed agreement exists

Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research

UAE Foreign Assistance

UAE Aid to ChinaTotal Amount
Amount (USD Mn)-

Bilateral Visits

Official Visits from the UAE

  • H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanCrown Prince of Abu Dhabi
    Apr2026
  • H.E. Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al JaberMinister of Industry and Advanced Technology
    Apr2026
  • H.E. Mohamed Hassan Al SuwaidiMinister of Investment
    Apr2026
  • H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al ZeyoudiMinister of Foreign Trade
    Apr2026
  • H.E. Lana NusseibehMinister of State
    Apr2026
  • H.E. Saeed bin Mubarak Al HajeriMinister of State
    Apr2026
  • H.E. Khaldoon Khalifa Al MubarakSpecial Envoy of the UAE President to China and Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority
    Apr2026
  • H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al QasimiDeputy Ruler of Sharjah
    Feb2026
  • H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanDeputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs
    Nov2025
  • H.H. Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al NuaimiCrown Prince of Ajman
    May2025
  • H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al QasimiRuler of Ras Al Khaimah
    Nov2024
  • H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al QasimiRuler of Ras Al Khaimah
    Sep2024
  • H.E. Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al JaberMinister of Industry and Advanced Technology
    Jul2024
  • H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanPresident of the UAE
    May2024
  • H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al ZeyoudiMinister of State for Foreign Trade
    May2024
  • H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al NahyanDeputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi
    May2024
  • H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al NahyanMinister of Foreign Affairs
    May2024
  • H.E. Suhail bin Mohamed Al MazroueiMinister of Energy and Infrastructure
    May2024
  • H.E. Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al JaberMinister of Industry and Advanced Technology
    May2024
  • H.E. Mohamed Hassan Al SuwaidiMinister of Investment
    May2024
  • H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al MarriMinister of Economy
    Oct2023
  • H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al QasimiRuler of Ras Al Khaimah
    Oct2023
  • H.E. Saqr GhobashSpeaker of the Federal National Council
    Sep2023
  • H.E. Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al JaberMinister of Industry and Advanced Technology and COP28 President-Designate
    Apr2023
  • H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanCrown Prince of Abu Dhabi
    Feb2022
  • H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanCrown Prince of Abu Dhabi
    Jul2019
  • H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanCrown Prince of Abu Dhabi
    Dec2015
  • H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al MaktoumVice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai
    Mar2008
  • The Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al NahyanPresident of the UAE
    May1990

Official Visits to the UAE

  • H.E. Zhai JunSpecial Envoy of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue
    Mar2026
  • H.E. Wang YiMember of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China
    Dec2025
  • H.E. Ou BoqianConsul-General of China in Dubai
    Jul2025
  • H.E. Hu WenrongChairman of the Shanghai Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)
    Nov2024
  • H.E. Liu ZhongyiAssistant Minister of Public Security of China
    Nov2024
  • H.E. Li QiangPremier of the State Council of China
    Sep2024
  • H.E. Chen Min’erMember of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China
    Sep2024
  • H.E. Li HuiSpecial Representative of the Chinese Government on Eurasian Affairs
    May2024
  • H.E. Ou BoqianConsul-General of China in Dubai
    Apr2024
  • H.E. Lieutenant General Xu GanluDeputy Minister of Public Security and Commissioner of the National Immigration Administration of China
    Nov2023
  • H.E. Zhao LejiChairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China
    May2023
  • H.E. Zhang XiangchenDeputy China International Trade Representative
    Mar2023
  • H.E. Hu ChunhuaVice Premier of the State Council of China
    Dec2022
  • H.E. Xi JinpingPresident of China
    Jul2018
  • H.E. Wen JiabaoPremier of the State Council of China
    Jan2012
  • H.E. Yang ShangkunPresident of China
    Dec1989

The officials’ titles shown reflect the positions held at the time of the visit.

Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research

Trade

Non-Oil Bilateral Trade

-

Rank Among UAE's Trade Partners

-Non-oil trade partner of the UAE
-Source of UAE imports
-Destination for UAE exports
-Destination for UAE re‑exports

Key Trade Commodities

-

Foreign Direct Investment Flows

Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
FDI Inflows (Into the UAE)4,702.5USD Millions
Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
FDI Outflows (UAE Abroad)2,198.8USD Millions

Capex and jobs data include estimated values.

Last Updated: November 2026Source: fDi Markets

Major Companies and Investments

Major Chinese Companies in the UAE

  • Huawei TechnologiesHuawei TechnologiesTelecommunications and technology
  • COSCO ShippingCOSCO ShippingLogistics and maritime
  • SinopecSinopecOil and gas
  • POWERCHINAPOWERCHINAInfrastructure and construction
  • Bank of ChinaBank of ChinaBanking and finance
  • Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC)Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC)Banking and finance
  • BYDBYDAutomotive
  • GEELYGEELYAutomotive
  • Meituan (Keeta)Meituan (Keeta)Food delivery and drones

Major UAE Companies in China

  • Mubadala Investment CompanyMubadala Investment CompanyInfrastructure, real estate, logistics, healthcare, consumer goods and technology
  • DP WorldDP WorldPorts, logistics and supply chain infrastructure

Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research

Business Support

Dubai Chambers

Business Council(s)Chinese Business Council
International Office(s)Hong Kong, China
Shanghai, China
Shenzhen, China
Joint Business Council(s)-

Last Updated: September 2026Source: Various UAE Chambers

Cooperation Opportunities

Priority level: HIGH / MEDIUM / EMERGING, based on overall attractiveness to the UAE.

Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research