Hala China, the joint initiative between Meraas and Dubai Holding that was announced earlier this year, signed its first strategic agreements at a press conference at Bvlgari Resort Dubai.

Dubai-based Emirates Airline was appointed official carrier for Hala China, with plans to develop attractive packages and privileges for Chinese speakers across its seven routes from China. Payment services company Union Pay will be the preferred payment partner for the initiative, with Bank of China also looking to establish long-term economic relationships through its own range of financial services.

The event was organized by Meraas, with support from the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Dubai, and also saw the establishment of a new Hala China Board of Directors.

Hala China is focused on creating an annual schedule of experiences and tourism packages catering to Chinese visitors, across seven categories – stay, shop, eat, play, explore, wellness and concierge. As part of the yearlong pipeline of activities, the city will host a series of events and programmes including food festivals, fashion shows, sporting events, music festivals, Chinese cultural pageants and more.

Events already planned for Hala China include the Chinese musical, ‘Wind from the Sea’, organized with support from The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United Arab Emirates, The Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Dubai, and Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture on 15 July 2018. This event will be followed by a week-long Chinese film festival with red-carpet events for Chinese film stars in October, a Chinese cultural exhibition in November, and a cooking competition in January that will see 15 leading Chinese chefs create culinary delicacies.

Other organizations to join the initiative include Dubai Parks & Resorts, Bank of China, China Everbright Group, Union Pay, China CYTS Tours Holding Co, Hikvision, JollyChic, Mafengwo, Utour Group, DYO Consultants, Zhongteng Tianchuang Information Technology and Sino-Union Reserve Investment.

The remit of these partners spans banking, finance, travel, tourism, marketing, technology, ecommerce, education, entertainment, and the environment, and will result in direct investment while creating a seamless visitor experience.

His Excellency Abdulla Al Habbai, Group Chairman at Meraas, said: “We launched Hala China with the intention of aligning the objectives of key stakeholders and strategic partners from across Dubai and China, with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai. Signing the initiative’s first strategic agreements is the first step towards achieving shared prosperity, and is both symbolic and significant in providing Hala China with a foundation upon which to build. The establishment of a board of directors is also crucial in ensuring the longevity of the initiative. We are confident that the strategic partnerships signed today are the first of many, and that they have the potential to strengthen relationships between businesses, investors, entrepreneurs and travellers in the UAE and China for generations to come.”

Overseeing current and future strategic partnerships will be a board that is chaired by Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Divisional Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Centre at Emirates Airline. Mohamed Almulla, Chief Executive Officer at DXB Entertainments, will serve as the Deputy Chairman and Board Member. The board will be responsible for leading and directing all activities organised by Hala China, including an annual calendar of events targeting Chinese visitors. Board Members include Huda Buhumaid, Chief Marketing Officer at Dubai Holding; Mohammad Saeed Al-Shehhi, Chief Executive Officer at D3; Sally Yacoub, Chief Malls Officer at Meraas; Adel Ebrahim, General Affairs – Group Chairman’s Office at Meraas, and Liang Xiao Qian, Chief China Affairs Officer at Meraas.