At the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival, CGTN's Merna Al Nasser sat down with Egyptian film critic Essam Zakaria, who also served on this year's short film jury, to explore the creative potential between Chinese and Arab cinema. Zakaria reflected on the deep historical and cultural ties between the two civilizations, emphasizing the importance of improving film exchange and distribution between China and the Arab world. As he puts it: "The relationship never stopped." His insights shed light on a growing cinematic exchange rooted in shared storytelling and mutual appreciation.