Both sides discussed future partnership potential and shared ideas for producing joint programming that will be broadcast in both countries and cater to Emirati and Chinese audiences.
The Sharjah Broadcasting Authority (SBA) recently welcomed a high-level media delegation from the Hainan International Media Centre (HIMC), affiliated with the Hainan Broadcasting Station (HBS), along with representatives from the China Media Group’s Middle East Regional Office. The visit aimed to strengthen media cooperation and explore opportunities for joint programming between the UAE and China, according to a report by WAM.
The delegation was received by Salem Ali Al Ghaithi, Director of SBA; Khalid Ahmed Al Zarouni, Director of the News Centre; and Aisha Obaid Al Zarif, Director of the Engineering Technology Sector. Among the Chinese officials in attendance were Wang Lei, Deputy Director of HBS; Zhang Yuxin, Editor-in-Chief of the China Media Group’s Middle East Regional Office; and Lin Xiu, Director of HBS’s News Centre, along with other senior media professionals from Hainan.
During their visit, the delegation was introduced to SBA’s latest technical and operational advancements. The authority, which currently operates six television channels, four radio stations, and the digital platform Maraya, provided an in-depth tour of its TV and radio studios, production and technical departments, and its central news hub. The Chinese media team also received a comprehensive briefing on SBA’s future development strategies aimed at adapting to the rapidly evolving global media landscape.
Discussions between the two sides focused on the potential for long-term strategic partnerships, including co-productions and content exchange initiatives that would appeal to both Emirati and Chinese audiences. There was mutual interest in developing programming that reflects the cultural richness and growing ties between the two nations.
SBA Director Salem Ali Al Ghaithi emphasised the importance of international collaboration in media and praised the visit as a testament to China’s interest in Sharjah’s dynamic media sector. “The authority has made major strides in production, coverage, and digital content in recent years,” he said. “Sharjah, as the cultural and media hub of the region, offers an ideal platform for international collaboration in media and cultural sectors.”
Wang Lei, Deputy Director of Hainan Broadcasting Station, lauded SBA’s state-of-the-art infrastructure and expressed optimism about future collaboration. He noted that strengthening media cooperation between the two sides aligns with the broader expansion of economic and cultural ties between China and the UAE.
The visit marks a step toward building sustained media partnerships that extend both institutions’ reach regionally and globally, reinforcing their shared commitment to innovation and cross-cultural storytelling.
