On the afternoon of August 30, 2024, Amin Al-Obaidi, an Iraqi journalist contracted with the Chinese-Arabic Satellite Channel, hosted a press conference at the channel’s news center in China titled “Voices Across Borders.” Al-Obaidi, who has lived in China for over a decade and goes by the name Fang Haoming, discussed his journey as a journalist and his growing popularity online.
According to Al-Obaidi, over the past two years of working with the channel, his online following surged from 50,000 to 3 million, with his videos amassing over 1.5 billion views across social media platforms. This has significantly boosted his popularity. But how did he achieve such success?
In March 2024, during a press conference held by the Chinese Foreign Minister on the sidelines of the “Two Sessions,” Al-Obaidi asked the minister a question, and the minister recognized him due to a viral video of Al-Obaidi dancing to the famous Chinese song “Kemuosan.” This moment led to an engaging conversation between them.
Al-Obaidi explained that his primary mission is to help people in China and the Arab world better understand each other through more accurate information and genuine emotions. In the past, Arabs learned about China through Western media, where information was scarce and often one-sided. The same was true for China’s understanding of the Arab world. Now, through television channels and social media, this young Iraqi is dedicated to making communication between the two sides smoother, reducing information gaps, and reaching a broader audience.
In April 2024, at the invitation of the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) Middle East branch, Al-Obaidi returned to his homeland, Iraq, for the first time in 20 years. He stated that the purpose of this visit was to explore the development of Iraq’s oil industry and understand the key to the country’s post-war economic development. This visit became crucial in enhancing the videos he shares on social media.
During the press conference, a CNPC official provided an overview of PetroChina’s operations in the Middle East, highlighting its presence in 10 countries, including Iraq, the UAE, Oman, and Qatar. The official emphasized the company’s commitment to mutual success for investors, governments, and local communities near oil fields. He cited examples such as the launch of Iraq’s first large-scale oil and gas integration project in June 2024, the Halfaya Gas Processing Plant (GPP), where green operations have become a standard for local environmental protection. This project has played a pivotal role in the comprehensive utilization of oil and gas resources, improving Iraq’s energy structure and promoting sustainable development.
The event was co-sponsored by the Chinese-Arabic Satellite Channel and the CNPC Economics & Technology Research Institute. It was attended by journalists from various international media outlets, including Sudan’s Brown Land, Total Media Cast, Italy’s Corriere della Sera, Africa Times, Spain’s EFE News Agency, Silicon Valley Times from the US, Japan’s Nishinippon Shimbun, and the Associated Press.
An EFE News Agency reporter asked Al-Obaidi about the secret behind the significant increase in his social media videos. Al-Obaidi replied that the secret lies in the rarity of his content, as very few journalists have focused on cultural exchanges between China and the Arab world in the past, giving him a unique opportunity to stand out. Meanwhile, a Corriere della Sera journalist inquired about his return to Iraq and his feelings upon seeing the schools, hospitals, and infrastructure donated by CNPC to the local population.
In response, Al-Obaidi thanked CNPC for its efforts in Iraq’s economic development and infrastructure improvement. He expressed how deeply moved he was to see the happiness on the faces of children learning in the school donated by the Chinese company, adding that the safety and well-being of these children is his greatest wish. The Business Director of PetroChina International then asked him how an international energy company can establish a better global image. Al-Obaidi responded that mutual respect is key, and that the company should integrate into the local community, fostering harmonious and inclusive relationships with international partners and the media, as every employee represents a living image of the company.
