ABU DHABI, 9th November, 2023 (WAM) -- A delegation from the Communication University of China (CUC), a Beijing-based public university, visited the Emirates News Agency (WAM) today.
The delegation, headed by Zhou Ting, Dean of the CUC School of Government and Public Affairs, included a group of academics and master's students. They were welcomed by Mohammed Jalal Al Rayssi, Director-General of WAM.
The delegation learned about WAM's distinguished experience in broadcasting news and media content in 19 global languages, which has placed it on the map of leading media organisations in this regard.
Al Rayssi welcomed the delegation and said, “Your visit today marks a significant milestone in our ongoing collaboration and underscores the thriving relations between the United Arab Emirates and the People’s Republic of China.”
“The UAE and China have long enjoyed a deep-rooted friendship, built upon mutual respect, cultural appreciation, and a shared commitment to progress and prosperity. Our bilateral ties have flourished across various sectors, including trade, investment, technology, and, of course, media," he added.
In the field of media, the UAE and China have witnessed remarkable growth in cooperation over the years. “We have exchanged media visits, signed a series of memorandums of understanding, and collaborated on a range of media initiatives that have played a crucial role in fostering mutual understanding and strengthening the bonds between our two nations.”
WAM has been at the forefront of this media cooperation. "We have established strong partnerships with Chinese media outlets and universities, including the Communication University of China. Through these partnerships, we have shared our expertise, exchanged news content, and promoted cultural understanding between our countries."
“In recent years, WAM has actively engaged with Chinese media outlets and universities to promote the upcoming Global Media Congress, which is a premier international event that will bring together - starting this coming Tuesday and for three days - media leaders, experts, and academics from around the world. We are delighted to see the growing participation of Chinese media outlets and academia in this highly significant event, and we believe that your contributions will enrich the discussions and foster new collaborations,” Al Rayssi noted.
"WAM firmly believes in the vital role of students and academia in shaping the future of the media industry. Young minds bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and a passion for storytelling, which are essential for a thriving media landscape. We are committed to supporting the next generation of media professionals and fostering an environment that encourages creativity, innovation, and responsible journalism.
“In this regard, we are open to exploring new avenues of cooperation with the Communication University of China. We believe that by aligning education output with the evolving needs of the media industry, we can prepare future media professionals to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the digital age,” the WAM DG stated.
Al Rayssi concluded by expressing his confidence that the delegation's visit would further strengthen ties between the two institutions and contribute to the advancement of media education and cooperation between China and the UAE. He reiterated his warm welcome to the guests and expressed his eagerness to strengthen collaboration for the mutual benefit of both countries.
Later, Al Rayssi took the delegation on a tour of the agency's departments, where they learned about the workflow and mechanisms of the various departments, including Arabic and English editing, digital, photography, television, foreign correspondents, archives, reports, investigations, economic and sports journalism, and photo and video transmission.
The Chinese academic delegation expressed its gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity to learn about a large and distinguished media institution. They expressed their keenness to pass on this experience to Chinese students studying at the university, which is concerned with the sciences and arts of mass communication.
The media consultant and supervisor of the research team expressed her admiration for the workflow that is characterised by smoothness, flexibility, and commitment to professionalism. She noted the role of WAM in strengthening media relations between the United Arab Emirates and the People's Republic of China.
At the end of the visit, the WAM Director-General invited Chinese students to attend the events of the Global Media Congress, which will be held in Abu Dhabi from 14th to 16th November. The event represents a golden opportunity for them to learn about the latest developments in the field of media, and to exchange experiences with experts and specialists from all over the world. He pointed out that the congress will address many important topics, including environmental and sustainable media, education, sports media, and the role of new technologies and artificial intelligence.