The aromatic allure of Hunan's spicy cuisine has made its way to Dubai, connecting with the Middle East through industrial cooperation. With delicious food as a bridge and industry as the foundation, Hunan has embarked on an economic and cultural dialogue spanning 7,000 kilometers in the United Arab Emirates (the UAE). On the afternoon of September 9 local time, Hunan Province successfully hosted a series of activities at the Shangri-La Hotel Dubai, including the Hunan-Middle East Business Networking Conference for Competitive Industries, the "Nihao! China" Hunan Culture and Tourism Promotion Conference, and the 2025 Culinary Culture Tasting Event—A Taste of Hunan in the Middle East. The events were jointly organized by the Hunan Provincial Department of Commerce, the Hunan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, and Hunan Daily, aiming to foster in-depth exchanges and cooperation between Hunan and the Middle East in industries, culture, cuisine, and other fields.
Industrial Alignment
Hunan enterprises signed multiple agreements with Middle Eastern counterparts.
During the conference, multiple rounds of signing ceremonies were held, covering eight projects in sectors such as energy, manufacturing, culture, and catering. The projects included a strategic cooperation agreement between the Hunan Provincial Department of Commerce and Saudi Arabia's ACWA Power, a trade order agreement between Zoomlion Gulf FZE and a UAE-based big crane company, and a project agreement for SO HOTEL construction between Sino-Hunan International Engineering and Development Co., Ltd. and UAE's MNI Investment Limited.
Meanwhile, to systematically promote the Hunan cuisine industry's expansion in the Middle Eastern market, the Hunan Business Service Center signed an agreement on "Hunan cuisine international promotion services" with the Hunan Business Council of UAE. Hunan Daily and China Arab TV jointly launched the "New Hunan, New Silk Road—Hunan Culture Digital Communication Partnership Program." Additionally, Changsha's The Hunan House Catering Management Company signed an agreement on "investment and store expansion" with the DGM Investment. The initiatives aim to provide systematic support for the in-depth expansion of Hunan cuisine and culture in the Middle East through multiple dimensions such as standardization, brand promotion, and store layout.
Cultural Tourism Promotion
The natural scenery of Hunan captivates Middle Eastern people.
The cultural tourism promotion conference commenced with a vibrant fusion performance of a classic Hunan folk song "Chili Song" and traditional Dubai rhythms. Artists from the Hunan Song and Dance Theatre presented captivating performances with Hunan characteristics, offering Chinese and international guests a vivid preview of Hunan's cultural charm through the language of art.
During the event, cultural and tourism representatives from China and Arab countries jointly launched the program "Nihao! MARHABAN," a travel variety show in the Middle East. This marked a significant step in deepening China-Arab cultural exchanges from "government collaboration" to "public engagement."
UAE influencer Noor Stars, who has millions of online followers, shared memorable moments from her trip to Hunan on site. Her sincere stories about experiences ranging from Zhangjiajie's peaks to Changsha's night markets deeply resonated with the audience.
In his speech, Abdulrahman Al Muaini, assistant undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism, noted that the UAE has paid high attention to enhancing cooperation with Hunan in cultural and tourism sector. He expressed his hope to further strengthen resource integration and market sharing, and to jointly explore new tourism routes and products.
Delicious Food Tasting
Hunan cuisine wins hearts in the Middle East.
As the grand finale of the serial events, the 2025 Culinary Culture Tasting Event—A Taste of Hunan in the Middle East showcased the unique charm of Hunan cuisine. The menu featured four appetizers, one soup, nine main courses, one staple dish, two seasonal vegetable dishes, along with dim sum and fruits. By combining ingredients from both China and Arab countries while adhering to Halal certification and Islamic dietary requirements, the dishes were prepared using Hunan cooking techniques and distinct seasonings, allowing guests to experience the essence of Hunan cuisine abroad—where each dish has its own distinct character, and a hundred dishes offer a hundred different flavors.
The event also marked the launch of the "Healthy Hunan Cuisine" international training program, aiming at establishing a global platform for culinary exchange and promoting the culinary philosophy and techniques of healthy Hunan cuisine.
Nearly 300,000 Chinese residents currently live in Dubai, creating strong demand for authentic Chinese food. Representatives from the delegation of nearly 30 Hunan enterprises also conducted market research and site selection in Dubai and other locations, which is expected to further advance the international expansion of Hunan cuisine.
This article is from the Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn.
Translator: Xiao Juan
Chinese source: hunan.gov.cn
