Shahid is now available in French

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The move is aimed at French-speaking users from territories including North Africa, Europe, Canada, and the Levant. (Supplied)
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The move is aimed at French-speaking users from territories including North Africa, Europe, Canada, and the Levant. (Supplied)
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Updated 02 November 2021
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Shahid is now available in French

  • Shahid and Shahid VIP platforms are now available in French, English and Arabic

DUBAI: Leading Arabic streaming platform Shahid has launched a new user interface entirely in French. This marks the launch of its third interface available to subscribers globally.

Aimed at French-speaking users from territories including North Africa, Europe, Canada, and the Levant, the brand-new French interface comes with a host of features similar to those available in Arabic and English. Not only will subscribers be able to navigate the service in French, they will also be able to watch content subtitled in their preferred language.

“French is the fifth largest language in the world and the third amongst the Arab population, so it made sense for the world’s leading Arabic streaming platform to offer the language as an option,” said Natasha Hemingway, chief commercial and marketing officer, Shahid.

As part of its efforts targeting French speakers, Shahid is also adding new French and North African series and other shows over the coming months. These include the award-winning French drama “Stalk,” the Algerian-Syrian drama series, “Ward Aswad,” and the French thriller “Inside.”

“This has been a work in progress for some time, and so we’re immensely excited for our users – who speak French as a first or second language, or just simply want to work on their French – to try and experience it,” Hemingway added.


University of Hong Kong hosts the first Saudi Economic Forum to boost China–Saudi ties

Updated 17 December 2025
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University of Hong Kong hosts the first Saudi Economic Forum to boost China–Saudi ties

  • The high-level event served as a new platform for bilateral dialogue and cross-sector collaboration

RIYADH: The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has hosted the first-ever Saudi Economic Forum in Riyadh, bringing together nearly 100 senior officials, academics, and business leaders to deepen cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia in education, innovation, and economic growth.

Held under the theme “Enhancing the Global Competitiveness of Chinese and Saudi Institutions,” the forum marked a significant milestone in advancing strategic alignment between China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Saudi Vision 2030.

The high-level event served as a new platform for bilateral dialogue and cross-sector collaboration, with participants exploring joint opportunities in investment, technology, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence.

Professor Hongbin Cai, dean of the faculty of business and economics at HKU, said the university aspires to become a “knowledge bridge” between the two nations, leveraging its global standing and extensive international networks. He noted that educational collaboration would be a cornerstone of the Saudi–Chinese partnership.

Saudi Arabia’s Assistant Deputy Minister of Investment, Fahad Al-Hashem, emphasized the depth of the China–Saudi partnership, noting that bilateral trade now exceeds $150 billion, with a growth rate of around 30 percent annually.

He reaffirmed the Kingdom’s openness to partnerships with China’s leading universities and technology companies, particularly in future-focused sectors aligned with Vision 2030, including education, digital transformation, AI, and clean energy.

The forum featured panel discussions on cross-border education, global city development, and technology transfer, with experts stressing the importance of joint ventures in the digital economy and smart infrastructure.

Participants said Saudi Arabia could benefit from China’s successful experiences in energy transition, infrastructure modernization, and innovation ecosystems as it builds globally competitive cities and institutions.

The Saudi Economic Forum concluded with calls for sustained academic and corporate partnerships to enhance institutional excellence and global competitiveness. Organizers said the initiative will continue to facilitate knowledge exchange and support national transformation goals in both countries, namely in the fields of technology and innovation.