By Noureddine Omar | 2025-01-01

The United States has been a key partner of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for more than 50 years -- a relationship it has never sought to hide -- with the US in September recognizing the Gulf state as a major defense partner.

Since establishing formal diplomatic relations in 1972, the two have benefited from strong bilateral cooperation on a range of issues including defense, non-proliferation, trade, law enforcement, energy policy and cultural exchange.

They have worked together to promote peace and security, training together and taking part in numerous bilateral and multilateral military maneuvers, according to the US State Department.

China also has sought to establish ties with the UAE, largely to serve its own economic and geopolitical ambitions. But in sharp contrast, China has been secretive about its military objectives.

A clandestine Chinese military facility at the Emirati port of Khalifa, concealed by an above-board commercial container terminal, has continued to raise questions since the first reports emerged in 2021.

The alleged dual-use facility is in the same general area as al-Dhafra base, which hosts US and international coalition forces.

Analysts say the covert presence of the Chinese military in the UAE undermines the Gulf state's security partnerships.

"This discovery contributed to the derailment of negotiations in which the UAE sought to acquire F-35 jets, MQ-9 drones, and billions of dollars in precision munitions from the United States," the Washington Institute for Near East Policy (WINEP) said in an April 3 report. Some of these sales were later approved.

WINEP noted that "economic ties with Beijing often come with security implications, and these implications may jeopardize aspects of a country’s relationship with the United States."

'Soft military expansion'

Under China's national security laws, Chinese and foreign companies overseas must report to and cooperate with Chinese authorities, and must assist with state-directed intelligence and counterintelligence efforts, per CNA.

Chinese companies typically demand operational control, and personnel verification is problematic, Emirati naval officer Ahmed Qahtan told Al-Fassel.

As a further complication, "it is impossible to control and monitor the construction activities" at the port due to confidentiality clauses in the contract, retired Emirati army officer Abdullah al-Ameri told Al-Fassel.

"Ships entering the port are not subject to inspection," he said. "Customs authorities are only authorized to monitor and inspect goods leaving the port, which makes it difficult to verify the true nature of activities occurring inside."

China has a "disturbing pattern" of expanding development contracts beyond their original scope, per the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

This aligns with China's soft military expansion strategy, analysts say, which enables it to expand its influence without openly challenging other powers.

China will "start with regular commercial activity along with surveillance and monitoring activities," al-Ameri said.

Intelligence activities "will likely target the US military presence and other international forces involved in alliances to secure the waters of the Arabian Sea," he added. "This presents a major threat to these forces."