nisar ahmed 
Shanghai, China – July 31, 2025 – In a strategic push to strengthen international partnerships in media, technology, and education, Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Office (NMO) and the UAE Media Council, held a series of high-level meetings with prominent global executives during the BRIDGE Roadshow’s stop in Shanghai.
The discussions focused on unlocking collaborative opportunities in digital content creation, creative media investment, artificial intelligence (AI) in education, and the development of next-generation media infrastructure, ahead of the BRIDGE Summit 2025, set to be hosted in Abu Dhabi this December.
Building Strategic Media and Tech Alliances
As part of the UAE’s mission to position itself as a leading global media hub, Abdulla Al Hamed met with influential figures from China’s media, venture capital, and technology sectors. These engagements aimed to foster cross-border cooperation and align innovation strategies with the UAE’s national media goals.
Key meetings included a session with Jinjian Zhang, Founding Partner of VitalBridge, a Shanghai-based venture capital firm specializing in AI and robotics. The conversation centered on investment opportunities in emerging technologies and the potential for joint ventures to support AI-driven media solutions.
Connecting Automotive Lifestyles to Gulf Audiences
Al Hamed also held talks with Bonnie Zhang, Founder of Cartea, an automotive lifestyle platform with a growing footprint in both China and the Gulf. Discussions revolved around the development of cross-cultural content strategies and digital storytelling formats that resonate with youth audiences across both regions.
In a separate meeting, the Chairman spoke with Vivi He, Founder of Xiaguangshe (ShineGlobal), a strategic think tank advising Chinese firms on global expansion. The two explored ways to co-create content and develop tailored market entry strategies for Middle Eastern audiences, highlighting the importance of localization in global media campaigns.
Partnering with Huawei for Next-Gen Media Infrastructure
One of the roadshow’s most notable engagements was a high-level meeting with Lv Yang Ming, President of Huawei Cloud Media Services Product Department. Their discussions covered a broad spectrum of AI-powered content production tools, real-time live-streaming technologies, and intelligent infrastructure that can support the future of media cities in the UAE.
The potential collaboration with Huawei aligns with the UAE’s ambition to develop smart, interconnected media ecosystems that integrate cloud computing, machine learning, and immersive technologies into content creation and distribution.
Reinforcing UAE’s Vision for a Global Media Hub
Reflecting on the meetings, Abdulla Al Hamed emphasized the UAE’s strategic vision for building a dynamic, collaborative, and forward-thinking media sector.
“Forging strong international partnerships is essential to building an agile and integrated media ecosystem that can thrive amid the rapid shifts of the digital age,” he said.
“We are committed to positioning the UAE as a global media hub, driving the creation of impactful, responsible, and forward-looking content. Through this, we aim to raise public awareness, encourage open dialogue, and reinforce our country’s role as a vibrant platform for intellectual and cultural exchange on the world stage.”
Looking Ahead to BRIDGE Summit 2025
The BRIDGE Roadshow serves as a lead-up to the BRIDGE Summit 2025, which will convene international leaders in media, innovation, education, and policy in Abu Dhabi this December. The summit aims to create a global platform for sharing ideas, launching cross-sector partnerships, and driving collaborative innovation across borders.
As the UAE intensifies its investments in the creative economy, education tech, and smart infrastructure, these global engagements underscore a broader commitment to shaping the future of media, technology, and culture in the digital age.
