Sharjah Deputy Ruler Visits Huawei, SMG in Shanghai

His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council, visited the Huawei Research and Development Centre and Shanghai Media Group (SMG) in Shanghai, People’s Republic of China.

Tour of Huawei Village

During the visit, His Highness toured Huawei Village, a large technology campus covering 2.2 million square metres. The village includes more than 100 buildings and laboratories and employs over 30,000 staff.

He reviewed the master plan of the village and key facilities supporting Huawei’s business strategy and product development. He also noted the high standards of the buildings and the wide range of services available for employees, including restaurants, cafés, recreational areas, rest zones, and internal transport options such as trains, buses, boats, and electric bikes.

Visit to Huawei Research and Development Centre

His Highness then visited the Huawei Research and Development Centre, where he reviewed the centre’s strategy and management approach, which plays a major role in ensuring product quality.

He learned about the centre’s research and development operations, advanced facilities, and specialised laboratories that focus on creating technological solutions for vital sectors. The centre is among Huawei’s largest R&D hubs globally and provides an environment combining scientific research with practical application.

During the tour, His Highness explored Huawei’s latest technologies, advanced devices, and digital infrastructure solutions for the media sector. He also reviewed smart city technologies, security systems, data storage solutions, and artificial intelligence systems designed to improve efficiency, service quality, and sustainability.

He received a detailed briefing on Huawei’s major research projects, its role in developing modern communication technologies, smart systems, and integrated digital solutions. The briefing also highlighted Huawei’s focus on investing in human talent and attracting global expertise to support innovation.

Sharjah focuses on media and technology cooperation

In a meeting with Huawei representatives, His Highness stressed the importance of learning from leading global experiences in research and development.

He said Sharjah is committed to keeping pace with rapid technological developments and using modern technology to strengthen the media sector, improve content quality, and increase competitiveness at regional and international levels. This supports Sharjah’s position as a centre for media creativity and purposeful content.

The meeting also discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between Sharjah’s media sector and Huawei’s R&D operations. This includes using advanced technology to develop media infrastructure, improve broadcast and production systems, manage digital content efficiently, and use AI, cloud computing, and data analytics to support content creation.

The discussion also focused on providing media professionals with innovative tools to improve performance quality, based on global best practices.

Huawei projects in the UAE

His Highness was also briefed on Huawei’s projects in the UAE and its collaborations with local companies over the past 24 years.

Huawei representatives shared the company’s services for the media sector globally, including film and television production, sports broadcasting, live transmission, cloud storage, and media archiving. They also presented best practices in partnerships that support integrated media infrastructure using 5G and AI technologies.

At the end of the Huawei visit, His Highness exchanged commemorative gifts with Huawei R&D Centre representatives and took group photographs.

Visit to Shanghai Media Group (SMG)

His Highness also visited Shanghai Media Group (SMG), one of China’s largest state-owned media organisations.

SMG operates:

• Eight TV channels

• Eight radio stations

• Four magazines and newspapers

• Eleven paid digital channels

• Studios equipped with advanced technology

• Digital production and broadcast centres supported by intelligent content management systems

SMG digital platforms

His Highness was briefed on SMG’s four main digital platforms:

1. A platform for broadcasting TV programmes, films, and series

2. A platform managing radio broadcasting nationwide

3. A platform providing real-time local and global news

4. A platform monitoring economic and financial operations, supporting stock market and investment audiences

This reflects the diversity and integration of SMG’s media services.

Advanced broadcasting and AI technologies

His Highness toured SMG studios and observed the latest technologies used for studio setups, broadcasting, and live transmission, enabling global content delivery with high efficiency and quality.

He also reviewed outside broadcast vehicles used for major events, especially sports. These vehicles are equipped with 4K high-definition broadcast and filming technology for accurate, real-time coverage.

His Highness witnessed the use of AI in sports coverage, including performance analysis and result determination in competitions such as archery, where advanced television systems are used for highly accurate results.

He also learned about AI systems that translate news bulletins into multiple languages, including Arabic, for international broadcasting. In addition, he reviewed SMG’s media storage and archiving systems, which follow the latest standards to ensure fast retrieval and strong data security.

Meeting with SMG leadership

Following the tour, His Highness met with Song Jiongming, Director-General of Shanghai Media Group, along with senior officials.

He praised SMG’s advanced media management methods and discussed opportunities for joint cooperation. His Highness emphasised the importance of producing purposeful media content that promotes positive values and preserves cultural traditions. He also expressed hope for expanding partnerships to achieve mutual benefit.

SMG representatives welcomed the Sharjah Media Council delegation and presented a film showcasing the group’s diverse media content, technological strength, and professional capabilities. They confirmed their readiness to cooperate with Sharjah in the media sector.

Sharjah Media City presentation

The meeting included a presentation on the Sharjah Media City (Shams) project, highlighting its facilities and infrastructure designed to support content creators and film producers.

The presentation also introduced the planned “Shams Studios,” which is expected to become one of the region’s most advanced studio facilities.

At the end of the visit, His Highness and the Director-General of SMG exchanged commemorative plaques and took group photographs.

Purpose of the visits

These visits aim to strengthen cooperation with leading global technology and media organisations, exchange knowledge, learn best practices in innovation and research, and build strategic partnerships to support the growth of Sharjah’s media sector.

Delegation accompanying His Highness

His Highness was accompanied by:

• Mohamed Hassan Khalaf, Director General, Sharjah Broadcasting Authority

• Tariq Saeed Allay, Director General, Sharjah Government Media Bureau

• Hassan Yaqoub Al Mansouri, Secretary-General, Sharjah Media Council

• Rashid Abdullah Al Obad, Director General, Sharjah Media City (Shams)

• Salem Ali Al Ghaithi, Director, Sharjah Broadcasting Authority

• Alia Bu Ghanem Al Suwaidi, Director, Sharjah Government Media Bureau

• Hessa Abdullah Al Hammadi, Assistant Secretary-General, Sharjah Media Council