The Director General of the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU), Engineer Abdelrahim Suleiman, recently concluded a visit to China from September 21-23, 2025. During his trip, he held high-level meetings with leading Chinese media institutions and participated in a specialized seminar on the latest advancements in broadcasting and television technologies.
Expanding Media Partnerships
In Beijing, Engineer Suleiman met with top officials from the National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA), where he was welcomed by Deputy Minister Mr. Dong Xing. Their discussions focused on enhancing media cooperation, particularly in news exchange, joint production, and the sharing of technical expertise.
The Chinese side also expressed appreciation for ASBU's live coverage of significant national events, such as the military parade marking the victory over fascism, recognizing it as a symbol of balanced media collaboration between the Arab world and China.
Additionally, Eng. Suleiman held talks with officials from CCTV Plus, agreeing to expand news exchange channels to create a more efficient and consistent flow of information between China and the Arab world.
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Fostering Innovation Through AI and UHD Technologies
At a scientific seminar organized by Beijing’s Municipal Bureau of Radio and Television, Engineer Suleiman highlighted China’s remarkable progress in Ultra High Definition (UHD) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, which he described as a model for other nations to follow. He emphasized that these innovations offer great potential for developing countries, particularly in the Arab world, to benefit from China’s experience in these fields.
He stressed the importance of strengthening Arab-Chinese cooperation, particularly in training Arab media professionals to effectively utilize AI within the audiovisual sector. “The Arab media must actively engage with the digital revolution,” he said, emphasizing that collaboration with China could significantly boost Arab media production and open new avenues for strategic partnerships.
Eng. Suleiman also underlined ASBU’s growing interest in Generative AI, given its potential to enhance production methods and quality in Arab broadcasting. It is worth noting that ASBU has already made strides in this area, with the third Arab Media Congress held in January 2024 under the theme "Media in the Artificial Intelligence Era: Opportunities and Challenges." The Congress recommended expanding partnerships with AI developers, with China being a key partner in this area.
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Looking Ahead: Future Collaborations
During his visit, ASBU Director General extended an official invitation to Chinese media representatives to participate in the 26th edition of the Arab Radio and Television Festival. In return, he confirmed that ASBU would play an active role in the upcoming Arab–Chinese Higher Radio and Television Forum, set to take place in November in Chongqing, China.