China Mobile’s Shanghai debut lukewarm after US delisting

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Updated 05 January 2022
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China Mobile’s Shanghai debut lukewarm after US delisting

  • Some of China’s biggest tech and telecom firms listed on US stock markets in recent decades

China Mobile shares ended with slight gains on Wednesday in their debut on the Shanghai stock exchange after the telecoms giant was delisted in New York as tensions soared between Beijing and Washington.


The stock had jumped as much as 9.4 percent at the start of trading — edging toward the 10 percent limit that triggers a trading halt in China — before steadily falling back through the day.


It ended at 57.88 yuan, a gain of 0.52 percent.


The share issue is expected to raise $8.8 billion after the company exercises an over-allotment option, Bloomberg News said, making it the largest on China’s domestic stock markets in more than a decade.


China’s biggest wireless carrier by revenue was removed from the New York Stock Exchange last year along with fellow state-owned telecoms firms China Telecom and China Unicom.


That followed an executive order by former president Donald Trump banning Americans from investing in a range of companies deemed to be supplying or supporting China’s military and security apparatus.


China Mobile has said funds raised through the flotation will go toward building 5G infrastructure, as well as “smart home” projects and other initiatives.


Some of China’s biggest tech and telecom firms listed on US stock markets in recent decades as they sought access to funding on more developed capital markets.


But the tide turned as tensions between Beijing and Washington soared in recent years.


China’s government has been encouraging companies to list on domestic exchanges as part of a push to keep big tech players closer to home and develop the country’s capital markets.


China Telecom, the country’s biggest fixed-line operator, debuted in Shanghai last August after raising $7.3 billion in its IPO.


China Unicom has listed shares of a subsidiary in Shanghai since 2002.


In October, US officials told China Mobile to discontinue its services in the country, ending nearly two decades of operations, in a move that Beijing called “malicious suppression” of Chinese companies.


The US Federal Communications Commission said the firm’s “ownership and control by the Chinese government raise significant national security and law enforcement risks.”


Operational challenges bring Riyadh Airport to a near standstill

Updated 19 December 2025
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Operational challenges bring Riyadh Airport to a near standstill

  • Airlines issue statements, while sources tell Arab News rain is to blame

RIYADH: Thousands of passengers travelling to and from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh were left stranded as major airlines struggled to offer alternative flights following a slew of cancellations and delays.

Saudia and flyadeal were among the aviation firms who faced difficulties, with the two airlines putting out statements blaming temporary operational challenges for the issues.

A statement from the airport on its official X account urged travelers to contact airlines directly before heading to the aviation hub to verify the updated status and timing of their flights.

The statement said: “King Khalid International Airport would like to inform you that, due to the concurrence of a number of operational factors over the past two days —including several flights diverting from other airports to King Khalid International Airport, in addition to scheduled maintenance works within the fuel supply system — this has resulted in an impact on the schedules of some flights, including the delay or cancellation of a number of flights operated by certain airlines.”

The airport added that operational teams are working “around the clock in close coordination with our airline partners and relevant stakeholders to address developments and restore operational regularity as soon as possible”, while taking all necessary measures to minimize any impact on the passenger experience.

Airport sources told Arab News that the issue has to do with the heavy rain Riyadh experienced earlier on Friday. Water apparently got into the fuel tankers supposed to refuel jets before they fly, and then several airlines struggled to re-schedule passengers. 

It its own statement on X, Saudia said: “Affected guests are being contacted through various communication chanels, with all ticket changes processed at no additional cost.”

Arab News reached out to Saudia for further information.

Also in a post on X, flyadeal said any of it passengers impacted by the disruption “will be notified directly by emails and SMS with rebooking and support options.”