Hosam Elmaghrabi. [Photo provided to CICG]In 2005, Hosam Elmaghrabi arrived in Beijing, wide-eyed and ready to explore the mysteries of China. What began as an expatriate experience in a new culture quickly transformed into a life-long journey of storytelling, cultural exchange, and personal growth. Elmaghrabi joined China.org.cn, an affiliate of China International Communications Group , in 2010 as an Arabic-language editor and video host. “This job has truly been a milestone in my Chinese experience,” the Egyptian said. “It gave me the opportunity to witness firsthand the country’s transformation and communicate those changes to the world.”Over the course of his career at CICG, Elmaghrabi has traveled extensively throughout China, from the northern deserts to the southern river valleys, and gained a deep understanding of the country’s diverse regions. His work covering China’s pivotal topics like poverty alleviation, technological innovation, and agricultural modernization has exposed him to its evolving socio-economic landscape. “These issues resonate globally, especially in the Arab world and Africa, where development challenges persist. China’s people-centered approach offers valuable lessons,” he explained.To tell China’s approach to development to the Arab world, Elmaghrabi and his team launched a bilingual video series called “China in the Eyes of an Arab” in 2017. It was born from a simple idea – to give Arab audiences a true and unfiltered look at China, through the eyes of someone who could relate to them culturally. The series has aired around 100 episodes and continues to grow in popularity with Arab-speaking audiences. Elmaghrabi’s unique perspective has helped demystify China for many viewers in Arab countries, fostering greater understanding between the two regions.Witnessing China’s historic momentsElmaghrabi’s career at CICG has been intertwined with China’s most significant events over recent years. In 2019, he attended and reported on the 70th anniversary celebration of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. A few years later, he stood in the iconic Bird’s Nest stadium, and watched the opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. “These events were extraordinary,” he said. “They made me realize how far China has come and how important it is to continue sharing these moments with the world.”Hosam Elmaghrabi attends the 70th anniversary celebration of the founding of the People’s Republic of China in Beijing on Oct. 1, 2019.
