China-UAE relations continue to open new horizons for development

Staff Reporter, Gulf Today

The China Pavilion at Expo Dubai hosted the China-Arab Media Salon, coinciding with the official inauguration of the Middle East Communication centre of Hainan Media Group, which has chosen Dubai as its regional hub. The event aimed to highlight the role of media in deepening the strategic partnership between China and Arab countries—particularly the UAE, which enjoys strong economic, social, and trade ties with China, ties that media has significantly helped foster.

Xian Yi, Deputy Consul General of Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Dubai, emphasized that as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) advances, China-UAE relations continue to open new horizons for development. He noted Hainan’s pivotal role in this collaboration, describing the new centre as a milestone in strengthening the friendly ties between the two nations. He also highlighted the importance of deepening media cooperation and cultural exchanges, expressing hope that the centre will serve as a vital bridge fostering mutual understanding and people-to-people friendship between China and the UAE.

Shahab Shayan, Regional Director, Asia Pacific at Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, stressed that China remains one of Dubai’s top source markets. He noted that the direct air routes between Dubai and Hainan have significantly facilitated cultural, tourism, and trade exchanges. He added that the new media centre will become a platform for bilateral cultural dialogue and content collaboration, predicting deeper future cooperation in tourism, business, and investment under the BRI framework.

Wang Lie, Deputy director of Hainan Broadcast station, stated that the group is committed to fostering a more open China that creates broader development opportunities for the world. He called for innovative efforts to deepen cooperation, enhance mutual understanding, and promote intercultural learning. Hainan Media Group, he said, will invest fully in developing the centre to meet the expectations of both Chinese and Arab audiences, using its media capabilities to bridge cultural differences and facilitate meaningful bilateral communication across various fields.

During the inauguration, Hainan Media Group signed a cooperation agreement with China Arab TV. The initial phase of the collaboration focuses on showcasing Hainan’s Free Trade Port achievements in institutional innovation, industrial openness, trade facilitation, and cooperation with the UAE. The partnership includes programme exchange and joint content production targeting audiences in 22 Arab countries, aiming to strengthen regional understanding of the Free Trade Port’s development and to contribute new “touchpoints” in China-Arab friendship and shared future narratives.

The event concluded with a dialogue session featuring Chinese and Arab media figures, including Wang Lie, Deputy director of Hainan Broadcast Station; Mohamed Beiji, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of China Arab TV; Prof. Amer Fakhoury, Professor of International Law at the American University in the Emirates; and Prof. Mohamad AlNaeb, President of Strategia centre for Studies. The discussion focused on mechanisms for enhancing media cooperation, leveraging the development experiences of both the UAE and China, and showcasing success stories in the media to deepen bilateral partnership.

Dr. Amer Fakhoury emphasized that the UAE is not only a major commercial and financial hub in the Gulf and the Middle East, but also a vital partner along the Belt and Road. He pointed out the alignment between Hainan’s strategy of continuous openness and the UAE’s development vision, stressing the media's responsibility in telling the evolving story of China-UAE friendship. He called for enhanced cooperation in producing high-quality media content that resonates with both Chinese and Arab audiences.

Prof. Mohamad AlNaeb noted that the BRI, initiated by President Xi Jinping, offers a roadmap for stable and sustainable cooperation between China and the UAE. He highlighted the similar regional dynamics of Hainan and Dubai, both positioned as high-quality development zones. He suggested practical cooperation in sectors such as trade, investment, green economy, and tourism, with media playing a key role in building stronger connections between the two peoples.

Since 2023, delegations from Hainan Province have paid frequent visits to the UAE, bolstering industrial cooperation in energy, digital economy, healthcare, tourism, and beyond. Investment collaboration between Hainan and Arab countries continues to expand, with bilateral trade in goods growing at an annual average of over 30% in the past three years. In 2024 alone, trade volume is expected to exceed 24 billion yuan.

Notably, direct flights now connect Haikou with both Abu Dhabi and Dubai, forming an “aerial Silk Road.” Coupled with visa-free travel policies, these routes have significantly boosted tourism flows from the Arab world to Hainan. Agricultural and environmental cooperation has also flourished, exemplified by the successful cultivation of 25,000 date palm seedlings donated by the UAE, now thriving in Wenchang. Meanwhile, Hainan's local produce such as Danzhou eggplants and Sanya okra have made their way onto Middle Eastern tables, marking a symbolic leap from “seed to supply chain.” Beyond trade, port partnerships between Yangpu Port and Abu Dhabi Port have been established, laying the foundation for deeper cooperation in emerging areas like digital commerce and maritime finance. This reflects a transition from “hard connectivity” in infrastructure to “soft connectivity” across institutions and industries—advancing the vision of a shared free trade network between Hainan and the Arab world.