Culture & Education | Sunday 17 May, 2015 12:00 am |

Many of the 15,000 visitors were excited to discover the potential that exists in Dubai across business, tourism, culture and lifestyle, as well as learn about the city’s culture and Bedouin heritage

Beijing, China – 16 May 2015: Dubai Week in China has been hailed a resounding success as the curtain came down on the event last night with an evening celebrating the emirate’s rich cultural heritage, as well as China and Dubai’s shared passion for food and art.

The largest event to be staged in China showcasing Dubai was attended by more than 15,000 visitors, from government officials, business and thought leaders to members of the general public. The Falcon and Associates initiative - in cooperation with the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) – not only gave visitors the chance to learn about Dubai’s meteoric rise, from humble fishing village to global city of opportunity, but also introduced them to different sides of the city.

An interactive digital and multi-sensory exhibition - combined with themed evening events, along with meetings and thought leadership sessions with some of the entities spearheading Dubai’s economic development – enabled visitors to gain a deeper understanding of its culture and heritage and how – through its strategic location and world-class infrastructure – the emirate can play a significant role in China’s One Belt, One Road strategy.

“Dubai Week in China was a great success – to welcome such a large number of visitors and introduce them to the potential that exists in Dubai was very satisfying,” said Hongbin Cong, Managing Director, Invest Dubai, Falcon and Associates. “Dubai Week in China really caught the imagination of the people of Beijing and the feedback has been incredible. ‘Surprised’ is a word I heard a lot: many people were very excited to learn beyond the Dubai that most people know; while the business community had fruitful meetings, forging new friendships and exploring opportunities of mutual benefit across business, tourism, culture and lifestyle.

“Much of Dubai’s success has been built on working in partnership with others and Dubai Week in China is the perfect example of this. We were incredibly fortunate to find in the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries a Chinese a partner who mirrors our values of enhancing friendship, furthering international cooperation and promoting common development, while of the contribution of the Dubai Partners was also invaluable.”

“Dubai Week in China was a significant milestone in the development of economic and cultural ties,” said Madame Li Xiaolin, President of the CPAFFC. “From the many engaging conversations between the Dubai entities and the Chinese business community, inspiring increased levels of mutual understanding knowledge exchange, it was clear to see friendships form and foundations established for future collaboration. I am sure this is just the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership.”

The event at The Orange in Sanlitun Taikoo Li South closed with series of cultural activities attended by more than 200 people. The evening got under way with an incredible performance by China’s renowned erhu player Chen Jun, who last year performed at horseracing’s Dubai World Cup for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai.

Guests had the opportunity to discover flavours of the Middle East at live cooking stations, listen to Emirati musicians and enjoy live art - from calligraphy to traditional henna painting, while emerging talent from Dubai and Beijing's vibrant art scenes displayed work themed on the Middle East. They also had the chance to ask questions on Arabic culture in a series of open discussions held by Nasif Kayed, Managing Director of the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, a non-profit organisation which acts as a cultural bridge, raising awareness of the local culture, customs and religion of the UAE.

“Home to more than 200 different nationalities, Dubai is a safe, welcoming and multi-cultural society which opens its arms to everyone,” said Kayed. “Its diverse culture and vibrant lifestyle make it among the most dynamic and liveable cities in the world which is attracting more and more Chinese. We have a thriving 200,000-strong Chinese community in Dubai, while last year there was a 25% increase in Chinese tourists, many intrigued by our culture and surprised to discover that Chinese and Arabs are similar in many ways.”

A highlight of the seven-day event was a guest appearance by the Dubai-sponsored Chinese National Table Tennis Team, featuring Zhang Jike, Fan Zhendong, Li Xiaoxia and Wu Yang, while a number of contests were held throughout the week, which saw 12 lucky visitors win trips for two to Dubai.

The event was held in partnership with Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) of Dubai, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Dubai Expo 2020, Emirates Airline, Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), Jumeirah Group and Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and several of the organisations made announcements.

Dubai Sports Council and the UAE Table Tennis Association also made an announcement at the event: Dubai will be the last stop on the road to Rio for the Dubai-sponsored Chinese National Table Tennis Team after it was confirmed that the UAE will host the Asian Table Tennis Union Asian Cup less than 100 days before the 2016 Olympics get under way.

To learn more about Dubai Week in China, visit Vision.

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Partner quotes

DTCM
Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said: “The Dubai Week in China initiative has provided the platform to form strong mutually beneficial partnerships with key tour operators, members of the travel trade and media, which will result in further growth of visitors to Dubai from China. China is of significant importance to Dubai’s tourism economy, last year demonstrating the 2nd biggest percentage growth within our top ten source markets for hotel guests and we will continue to work with our partners in government and the private sector to keep driving such growth – initiatives such as Dubai Week in China show the close collaboration that exists between Dubai entities and we look forward to participating in future such initiatives."

DIFC
Arif Amiri, Deputy CEO, Dubai International Financial Centre Authority, said: “Our participation at Dubai Week in China is particularly significant as it comes at a time when the UAE is stepping up efforts to cement its long-standing bilateral relations with the People’s Republic of China. Through such joint synergies and the continued exchange of knowledge and shared experiences, the two countries can explore new areas of cooperation that will convey an overall positive impact. Such events also help us articulate DIFC’s own strategic goal of accelerating the financial hub’s growth, and that of the wider UAE economy.

“Given DIFC’s robust regional and international status as one the most refined financial hubs, we have received keen interest from investment banks, asset/wealth managers, reinsurance providers/brokers and professional firms from China that are looking at setting-up or expanding their presence in the financial hub to leverage the developing opportunities in the growth markets of the Middle East and Africa. Our presence at Dubai Week in China aimed to translate this expression of interest into tangible outcomes.”

Emirates
Barry Brown, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations East, said: “We are proud to have participated in Dubai Week in China. China remains a market of strategic importance for Emirates and the event provided us with the opportunity to connect with key Chinese partners as well as showcase Emirates' products and services tailored to the Chinese market.”

Jafza
Ibrahim Al Janahi, Deputy CEO of Jafza, said: “Dubai Week in China had been an effective platform in reiterating Dubai and Jafza’s status as the trade and logistics hub of the region that spans from West Asia, the CIS, Africa and Indian Subcontinent. The event has further strengthened our position as a favoured investment destination for Chinese companies interested in the region and Jafza’s strategic role in achieving China’s One Belt, One Road vision.”

Jumeirah Group
Gerald Lawless, President and Group CEO, Jumeirah Group, said: “With eight hotels under construction in China and one in operation in Shanghai, China is immensely important for Jumeirah Group both as a source market for travellers to our international portfolio of hotels and as a destination for the introduction of new Jumeirah hotels. Dubai Week in China has helped to demonstrate our commitment to the Chinese market as a home-grown Dubai-based company and to connect us with future business partners and guests.”

KHDA
Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General, KHDA, said: “Dubai Week in China gave us a wonderful opportunity to meet colleagues who share our passion for education and spreading happiness. We shared our story and learned much about the Chinese culture. We were also fortunate to build the foundations for long and fruitful relationships that will bring new opportunities for exchange between Dubai and China.”

Photographs
Culture1: Visitors had the chance to ask questions on Arabic culture in a series of open discussions held by Nasif Kayed, Managing Director of the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, a non-profit organisation which acts as a cultural bridge, raising awareness of the local culture, customs and religion of the UAE

DWiC Culture2-3: Guests had the opportunity to discover flavours of the Middle East at live cooking stations, listen to Emirati musicians and enjoy live art - from calligraphy to traditional henna painting, while emerging talent from Dubai and Beijing's vibrant art scenes displayed work themed on the Middle East.

DWiC Culture 4: The evening got under way with an incredible performance by China’s renowned erhu player Chen Jun, who last year performed at horseracing’s Dubai World Cup for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai.

Contact:
Tina Ren
Ogilvy Public Relations
Email: tina.ren@ogilvy.com
Tel: +86 13810415322

Scott Melrose
Falcon and Associates
Email: scott.melrose@falconandassociates.ae
Tel: +971 (0) 4 383 3500

Notes to Editors

Dubai, the UAE & China
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the UAE in 1984, the two countries have built strong and deepening bilateral. Facts and figures on the relationship include:

• China became Dubai’s number one trading partner in 2014 after a 29% increase to $47.6bn moved it above India for the first time since 2004
• Home to more than 200 different nationalities, Dubai has a thriving community of over 200,000 Chinese, accounting for 10% of its two million residents
• In 2014, Dubai welcomed 344,000 Chinese tourists, an increase of 25% on the previous year
• More than 3000 Chinese companies have Dubai Chamber membership
• Seven cities are connected to Dubai with direct flights: Beijing, Guangzhou, Kunming, Shanghai, Urumqi, as well as Hong Kong and Taipei
• Emirates has 70 weekly flights to mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan: 35 to the mainland, serving Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou; 28 to Hong Kong; and seven to Taipei. In 2013/14, Emirates carried 1.3m passengers and 94,000 tonnes of cargo between Dubai and China
• Jumeirah’s Himalayas Hotel Shanghai opened in 2011. It has eight more properties in the pipeline – in Haikou, Wuhan, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Sanya and Qiandaohu, as well as two in Guangzhou, while 29% of guests at its flagship Dubai hotel – the Burj Al Arab – are Chinese
• Jebel Ali Free Trade Zone (Jafza) is home to over 230 Chinese firms, including China National Petroleum Corporation Middle East, China Railway Engineering Middle East and Haier
• The Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has four offices in China - Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu
• Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is home to China’s four biggest banks – Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Bank of China, China Construction Bank and Agricultural Bank of China
• Dubai is home to Dragon Mart, the largest Chinese trading centre outside of China. It welcomes 65,000 visitors every day and of its 3000 shops, 1700 are run by Chinese retailers.

About Dubai Week in China
About Dubai Week in China is a Falcon and Associates initiative in cooperation with the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC). The seven-day event will be an engaging immersive experience, providing visitors the chance to see, touch and taste Dubai. Through the unified voice of the event partners, the exhibition will bring to life the story of the emirate. It will take visitors through its remarkable journey from a humble fishing village just over 40 years ago into a global city of opportunity, enabling them to gain a deeper understanding of Dubai and discover a side of the city they may have not been aware of.

About Falcon and Associates
Falcon and Associates FZ-LLC is strategic advisory company working on behalf of the Dubai leadership. They build on the emirate’s many successes to date by identifying and implementing new opportunities to help Dubai fulfill its long-term potential, partnering with businesses and government departments to deliver specific social, economic and trade-related goals. To learn more about Falcon, click here.

About CPAFFC
Established in 1954, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) is a national people’s organization engaged in people-to-people diplomacy of the People’s Republic of China. The aims of the Association are to enhance people’s friendship, further international cooperation, safeguard world peace and promote common development. It has set up 46 China-regional or China-national friendship organizations and established relationship of friendly cooperation with nearly 500 non-government organizations and institutions in 157 countries. www.cpaffc.org.cn.

About Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM)
With the ultimate vision of positioning Dubai as the world’s leading tourism destination and commercial hub, Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing’s (DTCM) mission is to increase the awareness of Dubai to global audiences and to attract tourists and inward investment into the Emirate. DTCM is the principal authority for the planning, supervision, development and marketing of Dubai’s tourism sector. It markets and promotes the Emirate’s commerce sector, and is responsible for the licensing and classification of all tourism services, including hotels, tour operators and travel agents. Brands and departments within the DTCM portfolio include Dubai Convention and Events Bureau, Dubai Calendar, and Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (formerly known as Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment). In addition to its headquarters in Dubai, DTCM operates 20 offices worldwide.

About Dubai Expo 2020
In November 2013, the United Arab Emirates won the right to host the World Expo in Dubai in 2020. This will be the first time that the World Expo is staged in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA). Dubai’s World Expo is held under the theme of Connecting Minds, Creating the Future, echoing the powerful spirit of partnership and co-operation that has driven the UAE’s success in pioneering new paths of development and innovation. Through this theme, Expo 2020 Dubai will serve as a catalyst, connecting minds from around the world and inspiring participants to mobilise around shared challenges, during a World Expo of unprecedented global scope, under the sub-themes of: Mobility, Sustainability & Opportunity.

About Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is the financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, providing a world-class platform connecting the region’s markets with the economies of Europe, Asia and the Americas. It also facilitates the growth in South-South trade and investment. An onshore, international financial centre, DIFC provides a stable, mature and secure base for financial institutions to develop their wholesale businesses.

About Emirates
Founded in 1985, Emirates now flies to more than 140 destinations in over 80 countries and territories across six continents through its international hub in Dubai to provides both passenger and cargo services. Emirates connects people by Emirates Holidays, the tour-operating arm of Dubai-based Emirates airline and Arabian Adventures, the region’s leading destination management company. In addition, Emirates SkyCargo provides seamless cargo transport around the world. Emirates employees come from more than 160 countries with different backgrounds. Emirates has been committed to connecting people and supporting them discover new things and share new experiences. This commitment is also reflected in Emirates Sponsorships to international sports events and cultural activities.

Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza)
Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) is one of the world’s leading free zones. It is the region’s most efficient logistics hub and the only one in the world located between a top container terminal (Jebel Ali Port) and a top international airport (Al Maktoum International Airport), enabling the best in multi-modal connectivity. Jafza is a leading driver of Dubai’s non-oil trade. In 2013 the Free Zone has generated trade worth about USD 90 billion. As the leading business hub of the Middle East, it focuses on long term customer relationships and fosters alliances with global investors by providing them world class infrastructure duly supported with quality driven value added services and incentives, enabling them to avail huge business opportunities in the region, in the most efficient way.

About Jumeirah Group
Jumeirah Group, the global luxury hotel company and a member of Dubai Holding, operates a world-class portfolio of hotels and resorts including the flagship Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts manages properties in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, UAE, and Kuwait in the Middle East; Baku, Frankfurt, Bodrum, Istanbul, London, Mallorca (Spain) and Rome in Europe; the Maldives and Shanghai in Asia. Jumeirah Group also runs the luxury serviced residences brand Jumeirah Living™ with properties in London and Dubai; the new contemporary lifestyle hotel brand VENU; the wellness brand Talise; Jumeirah Restaurants; Wild Wadi Waterpark™; The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management; and Sirius™, its global loyalty programme. Future openings include luxury and lifestyle hotels in China, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Morocco, Oman, Russia and the UAE.

About Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA)
Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) is responsible for the growth, direction and quality of private education and learning in Dubai. They are a regulatory authority in the Government of Dubai which supports the improvement of schools, universities, training institutes and other human resource sectors. They co-ordinate with many different partners; students, parents, teachers, the private sector and other Government bodies who all play a role in Dubai’s education community. KHDA’s work is guided by the Government’s strategy and carried out in a transparent manner to make sure everything they do benefits their highest priority – students. KHDA’s research ranges from early childhood to adult learning and the findings drive initiatives to ensure that Dubai has an educated and flexible workforce to meet the needs of a fast-changing and globalised world. All of the publications, along with detailed school inspection reports, provide evidence-based information for everyone involved in education.