Beijing steps up UAE engagement, pairing conflict diplomacy with an energy push

Beijing is stepping up engagement with the UAE: Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan earlier this week, with talks centering on the Iran conflict, Chinese newswire Xinhua reports. During the meeting, Jinping pitched a four-point framework for regional stability built around sovereignty, multilateralism, and coordinated development.

Meanwhile, Chinese Premier Li Qiang urged the UAE to “ensure the safety of ⁠Chinese citizens, institutions and projects” amid the escalation, Reuters reports, citing state broadcaster CCTV.

The diplomacy is paired with an energy push: China is looking to deepen cooperation with the UAE across hydrogen, energy storage, and EVs, Qiang said. The two are already building on this front, with China’s BYD planning ultra-fast 1 MW charging units for EV infrastructure in the UAE.