UAE Pipeline Bypass Around Strait of Hormuz Already 50% Complete
The UAE’s new oil pipeline bypassing the Strait of Hormuz — largely blocked by Iran following US and Israeli strikes in February — is now halfway built. ADNOC CEO Sultan Al-Jaber said construction will be accelerated to complete the project by 2027. The existing Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline (ADCOP) already moves 1.8 million barrels per day from the port of Fujairah, outside the strait’s zone.
Indonesia Plans to Turn Bali into an International Financial Hub with Tax Incentives for Foreign Capital
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has proposed establishing a special financial center in Bali to attract foreign investors. The chosen location is the Kura Kura Bali special economic zone, which has already drawn $93 million in investment and created over 2,000 jobs. Government officials consider Indonesia one of the safest countries in the event of a major conflict, and foreign direct investment into the country reached nearly $14.4 billion in Q1 2026.
China Sends Astronauts on One of Its Longest Space Missions
On May 24, 2026, China successfully launched the crewed Shenzhou-23 spacecraft with three astronauts aboard for a year-long orbital endurance experiment, which will set a new record for Chinese crews. The crew includes mission commander Zhu Yangzhu, along with Zhang Zhiyuan and Li Jiaying — the fourth female astronaut in China’s history. Over the course of the mission, more than 100 scientific projects will be conducted.
India–Africa Summit Postponed Due to Ebola Outbreak
India and the African Union have postponed the India–Africa Summit, originally scheduled for late May 2026 in New Delhi, due to an outbreak of a rare Ebola strain in the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to the WHO, 600 suspected cases and 139 deaths have been recorded over two months, and no vaccine exists for this strain. A new date for the summit — which was set to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, and digital technology — will be announced later.
World Smart Industry Expo Opens in Tianjin, China
The four-day World Smart Industry Expo 2026 has kicked off in Tianjin, featuring for the first time a dedicated pavilion for AI and humanoid robot technologies. Showcasing their developments are Unitree Robotics, UBTECH, and Galbot, alongside companies in the low-altitude economy sector, including EHang with its certified flying taxi. Chinese eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft are already operating commercial flights, while Western competitors remain in the testing phase.
