The Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) participated in the 7th Arab-Chinese Cooperation Forum in the field of radio and television, held in Chongqing, China, from November 4 to 6, 2025, under the theme “Dialogue between Arab and Chinese Civilizations and Mutual Benefit in Audiovisual Media Innovation.”
The forum witnessed extensive participation from representatives of Arab and Chinese governments, senior officials from broadcasting authorities on both sides, representatives of relevant international and regional professional organizations, as well as companies specializing in audiovisual industries.
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The forum was held in implementation of the 2024–2026 action plan of the Arab–Chinese Cooperation Forum, which aims to strengthen mutual understanding between Arab and Chinese peoples and develop partnerships in digital media and cultural exchange. The Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) serves as a key partner in organizing the forum, alongside the General Secretariat of the Arab League, China’s State Administration of Radio and Television, and the Chongqing Municipal Government.
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During the opening session, speeches were delivered by:
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Tsao Shu-min, Vice Minister of the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Head of the State Administration of Radio and Television
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Hu Henghua, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Committee of Chongqing Municipality and Mayor of the Chongqing Municipal People’s Government
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Yuan Jiajun, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the CPC Committee of Chongqing Municipality
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Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the Arab League
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Abdelrahim Suleiman, Director General of the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU)
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In his opening speech, Engineer Abdelrahim Suleiman expressed his delight in participating in the 7th Arab–Chinese Cooperation Forum, praising the excellent organization and Chinese hospitality. He emphasized ASBU’s pride in its role as a key partner in this event, which reflects the depth of media cooperation between the two sides. He highlighted that the forum’s theme, “Dialogue between Arab and Chinese Civilizations and Exchange of Expertise in Audiovisual Media Innovation,” embodies the spirit of the modern era, based on cultural convergence and technological openness.
Suleiman underscored ASBU’s commitment to developing Arab–Chinese cooperation through joint production, content exchange, and the organization of training programs, noting the signing of several partnership agreements with China’s National Radio and Television Administration in the fields of artificial intelligence and audiovisual production.
He also highlighted ASBU’s pioneering role in supporting the Palestinian cause through extensive field coverage, producing over 5,500 media materials in more than two years, successfully conveying an accurate picture of events on the ground to the world.
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ASBU participated in the Arab–Chinese Audiovisual Content and Technology Exchange Exhibition, held on November 5, 2025, alongside the forum’s activities.
The exhibition highlighted achievements in Arab–Chinese media cooperation by showcasing the latest radio and television technologies, broadcasting distinguished programs, and presenting China’s industrial and technological developments, with participation from several partner Arab companies.
The forum included two main sessions addressing key aspects of Arab–Chinese media cooperation:
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The first session, titled “Arab–Chinese Cooperation in Audiovisual Content in the Digital Media Era,” was chaired by ASBU Director General Engineer Abdel Rahim Suleiman. It featured officials and experts from both sides representing major media institutions, including the Executive Deputy Editor-in-Chief of China Media Group, the Director General of the Lebanese Ministry of Information, and deputy heads of media and technology companies such as iQiyi, Kuaishou, and Maya Chongqing Media.
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The second session, titled “Technology Enables High-Level Development in Audiovisual Media Production,” brought together executive officials from broadcasting institutions in the Comoros, Beijing, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia, alongside representatives from the Chinese Radio and Television Academy and China Broadcasting Network Group Co., Ltd.
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The forum concluded with the launch of a season showcasing outstanding Arab and Chinese audiovisual programs under the title “The Audiovisual Silk Road: Stories from China and the Arab Countries.”
A joint statement was also issued, in which both sides praised the fruitful cooperation since 2023 in the fields of media, radio, and television, emphasizing the importance of media in promoting cultural exchange and implementing the outcomes of the first Arab–Chinese Summit.
The parties expressed their commitment to expanding cooperation in audiovisual content, industrial innovation, and the application of artificial intelligence in media, as well as supporting the exchange of young talent and providing training grants in this field.
The statement also highlighted both sides’ anticipation of the second Arab–Chinese Summit in 2026, considering it a new milestone for strengthening relations between China and Arab countries in the audiovisual sector.
On the sidelines of the forum, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) and China’s National Radio and Television Administration. Under the agreement, China grants ASBU a free license to broadcast a selected collection of Chinese programs dubbed into Arabic through ASBU’s platform for program exchange, and to distribute them to its member broadcasting organizations in the Arab region for a period of two years.
The agreement aims to expand cultural and media exchange between the two sides and to strengthen the presence of Chinese programs in the Arab media landscape, thereby enhancing mutual understanding between peoples. It also paves the way for the development of joint production projects in the fields of documentaries, drama, and education, as part of a broader vision to build a diverse and collaborative media space.
On the sidelines of the forum, a cultural and media field program was organized to introduce Arab participants to the economic and cultural life of Chongqing, one of the leading industrial and tourist cities in southwest China.
The tours included visits to the giant Ceres factory, the Chongqing International Logistics Center, a drone exhibition site, the Yongchuan Science and Film Technology City, and the historic Daguan Town. Participants also enjoyed an evening tour of the Two Rivers and Four Banks area, showcasing the city’s rich economic and urban landscape to the visiting Arab delegations.
