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BEIJING, May 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- iQIYI, China's leading online entertainment platform, has taken two major steps recently to deepen its presence in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, signaling continued ambition in the overseas market. On May 11, the company signed a content partnership with Egypt's leading Arabic streaming platform WATCH IT. Three days after, it officially launched iQIYI MENA Branch in Dubai, marking a stronger operational foothold in the region.
Grounded in extensive market research, these moves are part of iQIYI's broader localization strategy, aimed at amplifying Chinese storytelling abroad while integrating more regional content into its global ecosystem. The company has identified MENA as a market with a long history and huge potential, driven by a rising demand for digital entertainment.
Under the new partnership, WATCH IT will stream a curated slate of iQIYI's premium Chinese-language films and shows — including top-rated series such as "Road Home" and "Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty" — through its established regional network. In return, iQIYI's main platform will feature WATCH IT's original humanities documentary series "Mother of the World," which draws upon archaeological evidence to showcase the development of ancient Egyptian civilization. iQIYI International will also introduce WATCH IT's select Arabic-language original content, enriching its overseas content ecosystem.
"WATCH IT is deeply rooted in the Egyptian and Middle Eastern markets, with robust production and distribution capabilities," said Zhaonan WANG, vice president and editor-in-chief of iQIYI. "Through this collaboration, we hope to better serve MENA audiences and use film and television as a bridge for cultural exchange."
With the new branch launched in Dubai, iQIYI continues to better serve local customers. With a content strategy tailored to local tastes, iQIYI has curated a dedicated MENA content library featuring Chinese-language dramas, movies, animation, and variety shows adapted to local customs. The platform endeavors to continue optimizing the playback experience for MENA's network environment and is in discussion with local telecom operators to extend viewing options. In addition to the WATCH IT partnership, iQIYI has also collaborated with evision, the media and entertainment arm of e&, since June 2014 to distribute over 20 popular Chinese dramas, animations, and movies to MENA viewers via evision's free streaming service STARZ ON.
Speaking in Dubai, Xianghua YANG, president of iQIYI's Movie & Overseas Business Group, noted the key support of ongoing collaborations with local partners in advancing the company's continued development in MENA. With the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia as its core, iQIYI aims to gradually cover the Gulf region.
The launch of iQIYI MENA Branch in Dubai further strengthens the platform's global footprint, following the debut of its international website, iQ.com, and iQIYI International App in 2019, as well as the opening of its international headquarters in Singapore in 2020. Since then, the company has established four key operational regions — Southeast Asia, North America, Japan and South Korea, and MENA — as it strives to become the home for beloved Asian content for audiences worldwide. Today, iQIYI's content reaches audiences in over 190 countries and regions. iQIYI International currently supports user interface and subtitles in 12 languages, including English, Thai, Indonesian, Korean, Spanish, and Arabic.
CONTACT: iQIYI Press, press@qiyi.com
BEIJING, May 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- iQIYI, China's leading online entertainment platform, has taken two major steps recently to deepen its presence in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, signaling continued ambition in the overseas market. On May 11, the company signed a content partnership with Egypt's leading Arabic streaming platform WATCH IT. Three days after, it officially launched iQIYI MENA Branch in Dubai, marking a stronger operational foothold in the region.
Grounded in extensive market research, these moves are part of iQIYI's broader localization strategy, aimed at amplifying Chinese storytelling abroad while integrating more regional content into its global ecosystem. The company has identified MENA as a market with a long history and huge potential, driven by a rising demand for digital entertainment.
Under the new partnership, WATCH IT will stream a curated slate of iQIYI's premium Chinese-language films and shows — including top-rated series such as "Road Home" and "Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty" — through its established regional network. In return, iQIYI's main platform will feature WATCH IT's original humanities documentary series "Mother of the World," which draws upon archaeological evidence to showcase the development of ancient Egyptian civilization. iQIYI International will also introduce WATCH IT's select Arabic-language original content, enriching its overseas content ecosystem.
"WATCH IT is deeply rooted in the Egyptian and Middle Eastern markets, with robust production and distribution capabilities," said Zhaonan WANG, vice president and editor-in-chief of iQIYI. "Through this collaboration, we hope to better serve MENA audiences and use film and television as a bridge for cultural exchange."
With the new branch launched in Dubai, iQIYI continues to better serve local customers. With a content strategy tailored to local tastes, iQIYI has curated a dedicated MENA content library featuring Chinese-language dramas, movies, animation, and variety shows adapted to local customs. The platform endeavors to continue optimizing the playback experience for MENA's network environment and is in discussion with local telecom operators to extend viewing options. In addition to the WATCH IT partnership, iQIYI has also collaborated with evision, the media and entertainment arm of e&, since June 2014 to distribute over 20 popular Chinese dramas, animations, and movies to MENA viewers via evision's free streaming service STARZ ON.
Speaking in Dubai, Xianghua YANG, president of iQIYI's Movie & Overseas Business Group, noted the key support of ongoing collaborations with local partners in advancing the company's continued development in MENA. With the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia as its core, iQIYI aims to gradually cover the Gulf region.
The launch of iQIYI MENA Branch in Dubai further strengthens the platform's global footprint, following the debut of its international website, iQ.com, and iQIYI International App in 2019, as well as the opening of its international headquarters in Singapore in 2020. Since then, the company has established four key operational regions — Southeast Asia, North America, Japan and South Korea, and MENA — as it strives to become the home for beloved Asian content for audiences worldwide. Today, iQIYI's content reaches audiences in over 190 countries and regions. iQIYI International currently supports user interface and subtitles in 12 languages, including English, Thai, Indonesian, Korean, Spanish, and Arabic.
CONTACT: iQIYI Press, press@qiyi.com
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
iQIYI expands MENA presence with MENA Branch launch and local partnership, elevating Chinese storytelling worldwide
iQIYI expands MENA presence with MENA Branch launch and local partnership, elevating Chinese storytelling worldwide
The race reflects Hainan's broader effort to link international sporting events with economic development and global engagement
SANYA, China, Jan. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The 7th Hainan (Sanya) Marathon wrapped up on Sunday, attracting 14,000 participants from 20 countries and regions. Held under the theme "Run Past Your Limits. Straight to the Sea," the event combined tropical coastal scenery with competitive racing through diverse race formats, enhanced services, and digital innovation. After a grueling race, China's Yang Yuan won the women's full marathon in 2:50:11, while Zhao Guohu claimed the men's title in 2:23:21.
Zhao Guohu, winner of the men's division, said the flat course and Sanya's warm climate lend themselves to strong performances. He added that the energy and support of spectators and volunteers along the route helped create an especially memorable atmosphere.
To deliver a unique marathon experience in Sanya through the integration of sports, tourism, and culture, organizers reimagined the role of the aid stations. Cultural Tourism Experience Stations were positioned along the course. In addition to providing race support, the stations featured traditional crafts and folk arts, Li and Miao ethnic song and dance performances, tastings of local cuisine, and interactive culture-focused activities. Together, these elements offered runners a closer look at Sanya's local character while adding cultural context and on-course engagement to the event.
In parallel, organizers provided runners with coordinated services covering accommodation, transportation, sightseeing, and shopping. Partner benefits included discounted hotel rates with late checkout, reduced airfare offers, and duty-free shopping perks. Digital initiatives included the issuance of blockchain-based digital commemorative medals, available for purchase through the Alipay platform. Virtual races hosted on Alipay, DingTalk, and Amap also enabled remote participation.
Yang Yong, General Manager of Events and Commercialization at event partner Orange Lion Sports (formerly Alibaba Sports), said organizers drew on resources across the Alibaba ecosystem - including Taobao, Fliggy, Alibaba Health, Ant Chain, and Amap - to broaden the event's reach and connect more effectively with domestic and international running audiences, encouraging greater participation in event-related spending.
Since early 2024, Hainan has hosted over 700 sporting events, attracting more than 4 million spectators and generating over 7 billion yuan in consumer spending. With its favorable climate and natural setting, the Sanya Marathon continues to drive local economy through sport-tourism integration.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Sports and Tourism Merge in Sanya as 2025 Marathon Wraps Up Along Scenic Coast
