Shanghai: Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the UAE National Media Office and Chairman of the UAE Media Council, conducted a high-level visit to Shanghai, where he met with senior leaders of Shanghai United Media Group (SUMG) and Shanghai Media Group (SMG).
According to Emirates News Agency, the two visits were part of the BRIDGE Roadshow's Shanghai stop, a preparatory tour for the BRIDGE 2025 Summit. This summit, scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi from 8th to 10th December 2025, is the largest platform uniting media, cultural, and creative content creators, leaders, and decision-makers to transform global communication.
During the visit, Abdulla Al Hamed and the BRIDGE delegation were received by Fang Shizhong, President of SMG, along with key officials, including the Director of Research and Technology and the Head of Digital Platforms at the Group. The delegation toured SMG headquarters, exploring content creation studios, newsroom facilities, content fact-checking units, and advanced digital platform labs.
Al Hamed highlighted China's pivotal role as a gateway to global media audiences and innovation ecosystems. He emphasized the collaboration's significance in advancing the UAE's strategic vision of becoming a global media hub. He expressed the intent to co-create content that resonates across West Asia, China, and beyond, focusing on joint strengths in media technologies, fact-based journalism, and digital platforms.
He also affirmed the distinguished model of cooperation between the UAE and China, built on mutual respect and a shared vision. He noted that these ties receive full support from the UAE's leadership, which believes in building bridges of collaboration across various sectors.
Abdulla Al Hamed added that this visit to Shanghai and its leading media institutions is part of the BRIDGE Roadshow, aimed at strengthening collaboration with major Chinese media entities. The visit seeks to activate partnerships enabling knowledge exchange and leverage shared capabilities in content production and digital platform development.
Concluding his remarks, Al Hamed stated that the UAE views purposeful media as a tool for fostering societal awareness and promoting values of tolerance and openness. He emphasized the commitment to forging strategic partnerships with leading media organizations worldwide to co-create responsible and forward-looking content.
Fang Shizhong underscored the enduring strength of China-UAE cultural and media cooperation. He stressed the importance of deepening ties through shared innovation and mutual dialogue, highlighting SMG's ambition to enhance cooperation with international partners amidst evolving media landscapes.
The BRIDGE delegation also visited SUMG headquarters, where they were received by SUMG's President Li Yun. They were offered insights into how the state media company, run by the Shanghai Municipal Committee, has provided state-of-the-art digital media services to newspaper companies since 2013.
This engagement aligns with the objectives of the BRIDGE Roadshow in expanding international media partnerships ahead of the BRIDGE Summit 2025. It underscores the UAE's commitment to innovation, responsible content creation, and the integration of intelligent technologies across media systems.