'Road to the Future' Showcases China-Saudi Cooperation and Cultural Exchange

"Road to the Future," a documentary series marking the 35th anniversary of China-Saudi diplomatic relations and the China-Saudi Cultural Year, will premiere on Dragon TV at 10:00pm on December 30.

Produced by DocuChina in collaboration with Saudi Arabia, the series explores bilateral cooperation in areas including green and low-carbon development, trade and investment, cultural tourism, and fashion. It highlights China's role as a key partner in supporting Saudi Arabia's "Vision 2030" development strategy.

The English-language edition is produced in full-process 4K. An Arabic version is scheduled to air in Saudi Arabia in June 2026.

The documentary traces the deep cultural roots of both countries while examining how traditional heritage is being reinterpreted to attract global tourism. It features Diriyah, one of Saudi Arabia's most prominent cultural landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The kingdom has eight UNESCO-listed sites in total.

Tourism ties are expanding rapidly. More than 210,000 Chinese tourists visited Saudi Arabia in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 52 percent. Saudi Arabia has set a target of attracting 5 million Chinese tourists by 2030, with Chinese enterprises increasingly involved in local tourism projects.

Cultural and educational exchanges are also growing. Saudi Arabia introduced Chinese-language education into its national school system in 2019, a move aimed at strengthening people-to-people ties and improving services for Chinese visitors.

The series also highlights Shanghai's role as a hub for China–Saudi trade and innovation.

Saudi and Chinese low-altitude economy companies collaborated at the 8th China International Import Expo in Shanghai. Saudi Arabia is planning to build low-altitude aircraft for inspection and security next year. In the food sector, Chinese diners also had their taste of dairy products imported from Saudi Arabia.