On December 20th, the 2025 China Film Week grandly opened at the Reel Cinemas in Dubai Mall. Jointly organized by China Film Administration, Embassy of The People’s Republic of China in The United Arab Emirates, and Consulate General of The People’s Republic of China in Dubai, and hosted by China Film Archive and the China Film Art Research Center, the event was deeply supported by China UnionPay as a supporting partner. Building upon the millennia-old foundation of China-Arab exchanges along the Silk Road, the event crafted a cultural feast themed “Mountains and Seas Gaze Afar, Connected by Cinema.”
Running from December 20th to 23rd, the event showcased a selection of representative Chinese films, including the light-hearted and witty Nobody, the suspenseful detective film Detective Chinatown 1900, the thrilling action movie The Shadow’s Edge, and the mind-bending drama Decoded. Additionally, two virtual reality (XR) films, Guardian Warriors of Longmen and Palace Banquet in Tang Dynasty, were specially featured, demonstrating Chinese cinema’s exploration of technological innovation.
Exchanges between China and the Arab world date back a thousand years to the Silk Road. Caravans and maritime fleets traversed deserts and oceans, facilitating the exchange of Chinese silk and porcelain for Arab spices and pearls. China’s Four Great Inventions spread to Europe via the Arab region, fueling the progress of world civilization. Adopting a dual narrative structure of “Land Silk Road x Maritime Silk Road,” the event featured multiple culturally immersive zones centered around the “Silk Road” theme.
At the “Silk Road Ink and Shadow” interactive zone, visitors could admire film dialogues rendered in elegant Chinese calligraphy on sheer fabric and practice tracing them on Xuan paper bearing the UnionPay logo. The China UnionPay booth also drew crowds with its exhibition booklets and cultural products like custom-made panda keychains and UnionPay pins. The “Silk Road Playhouse” zone displayed exquisite shadow puppets from classics such as Journey to the West and Dream of the Red Chamber, allowing visitors to manipulate the rods and experience the charm of this intangible cultural heritage.
A photo area simulated a “Silk Road Voyage,” integrating movable Chinese landmarks and traditional cultural elements. Visitors could take photos and receive a personalized AR postcard. A message wall collected heartfelt wishes from attendees for Chinese cinema, China-Arab friendship, and UnionPay. The overall design of the interactive zones echoed the “Silk Road” theme, forming a complete cultural experience loop.
The deepening of cultural exchange is always underpinned by close economic ties and convenient people-to-people connections. In the contemporary era, economic cooperation between China and the UAE has intensified, with both being important trade and investment partners. China UnionPay’s global footprint provides a foundation for cultural and commercial exchanges between the two nations. Presently, the UnionPay card acceptance network extends to 183 countries and regions, covering over 74 million merchants and 1.7 million ATMs outside mainland China. More than 200 million UnionPay cards have been issued in 83 countries and regions outside mainland China, making it a vital payment tool serving users worldwide.
In the UAE, the UnionPay acceptance environment is comprehensive. Whether using card payments or NFC features via various mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Huawei Pay, and Xiaomi Pay, users can enjoy a seamless payment experience. China UnionPay also offers cardholders in the UAE a wealth of exclusive benefits, including favorable exchange rates, discounts at duty-free shops, and spend-and-save promotions at malls and luxury boutiques.
From the caravan bells and sailing ships of the ancient Silk Road to the dialogue of civilizations on screen, from interactive experiences of traditional Chinese culture to the convenient connections of modern payments, this event is a vivid manifestation of the normalized and deepening exchanges between China and the Arab world. In the future, guided by the Silk Road spirit of “mutual learning, mutual benefit, and win-win cooperation,” China UnionPay will continue to support in-depth bilateral cooperation in culture, commerce, tourism, and other fields, contributing to the steady and enduring advancement of China-Arab friendly relations.
