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 (CICG), 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 moments

Elmaghrabi'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. [Photo provided to CICG]

One particularly experience that moved Elmaghrabi was his visit to Yan'an, Shaanxi province, where he met a family who had lived in extreme poverty for years. "I visited their cave-like home and later saw the new house they moved into, provided by the government. Their children now study for free, and the father has stable work. It made me ask, 'How was this achieved?' " To him, China's focus on addressing the root causes of poverty, such as illiteracy, lack of infrastructure, and insufficient skills training, was key to lifting millions out of poverty.

Hosam Elmaghrabi receives the Chinese Government Friendship Award on Sept. 29, 2017. [Photo provided to CICG]

In 2017, Elmaghrabi was honored with the Chinese Government Friendship Award, one of the highest distinction award given to foreign experts by the Chinese government, for his contributions to the modernization of the country. 

He said his achievements would not have been possible without his family and colleagues at CICG. "Without them, I would not be who I am," he said. "I'm really happy to see that my efforts are being recognized and rewarded. This shows that China guarantees equal opportunities to succeed for foreigners."  

In June 2018, he received the Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card, which granted him the same rights and benefits as Chinese citizens in areas such as employment, housing, and entrepreneurship. "It gave me a sense of belong, motivating me to continue working hard in China, my second home," he said.

Stories to share

As CICG marks its 75th anniversary this year, Elmaghrabi continues to look forward. He said he hopes to further strengthen the cultural and developmental ties between China and the Arab world, particularly in Africa, where he sees China's model as a potential solution to many of the challenges the region faces.

At the core of Elmaghrabi's work is a deep belief in the power of storytelling as a bridge between cultures. Through CICG, he said he has had the opportunity to not only report on China's development but also engage in meaningful dialogue with his colleagues, many of whom share his passion for cross-cultural exchange. 

"CICG has provided me with a platform that I could never have imagined," he said. "It has allowed me to collaborate with media professionals both within China and internationally, and it has given me the chance to constantly improve my communication skills and deepen my understanding of China's culture."

Looking ahead, Elmaghrabi said he is driven by one simple mission: to continue sharing China's story with the world, especially with Arab and African countries.

"There are still so many stories to tell," he said. "And I'm excited for what's to come."