Where do you call home? Beijing
Bio:Siqiao studies Social Research and Public Policy and Arabic at NYU Abu Dhabi. He is the Vice President of the Abu Dhabi Chapter of Chinese Students and Scholars Association.
Why I Joined: CGF has the potential to make a greater contribution to Chinese and Gulf societies, as well as to our community in Abu Dhabi.
What I Hope to Achieve: Encourage greater participation from students, scholars, practitioners, and the public in China-UAE and China-Gulf interactions and exchanges.
Where do you call home? China
Bio: Evan is a senior majoring in Economics at NYU Abu Dhabi, specializing in Finance. He possesses strong interests in the field of Leveraged Finance and would practice Investment Banking in Hong Kong upon graduation.
Why I Joined: Vision to reduce bias in bilateral communication.
What I Hope to Achieve: Build sustainable growth of CGF and strengthen collaboration between Abu Dhabi and Beijing Team.
Where do you call home? UAE
Where do you call home? UAE
Where do you call home? Mexico
Bio: Berenice was born and raised in the southernmost state of Mexico called Chiapas. However, because of her passion for traveling, and learning languages and cultures, she ended up at NYUAD. She is currently a sophomore majoring in Political sciences and minoring in both chinese and arabic.
Why I Joined: Berenice has always wanted to join CGF since she attended in my freshman year. She loves the forum, and finds their talks extremely informative and just a great resource where we can learn more about the UAE and its international and geopolitical relationships with countries like China.
What I Hope to Achieve: She hope that CGF successfully achieves what it achieved with her when she first saw it: educated and sparked her interest in the China-Gulf relationships and their role in the future geopolitics.
Anything to Share: She loves how even though we could easily dismiss and think that the Chinese and Gulf culture are very different, a common factor is how they use tea (tea in china and karak tea in the UAE) as a drink to bond over and strengthen relationships.
Where do you call home? Shanghai
Bio: Clement Shen is a senior student at NYU Abu Dhabi, majoring in psychology and theater. He is also a director and stage manager based in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. His interests in creative work include exploring the concept of farewell and memory in a participatory way. His work in theater includes "Canticles For A Pyre Foretold" (2024, Assistant Stage Manager), "La Lezione di Teatro | The Acting Class" (2023, Touring Stage Manager), "DISCOTHEQUE" (2024, Stage Manager), "The Dance of Yuan" (2024, Stage Manager), "Starry Night" (2024, performance in library, director and playwright), "Fearless" (2023, production assistant), "Goodbye, Goodbye" (2023, director, playwright and lighting designer), "Temporary People" (2022, lighting apprentice).
Why I Joined: To support my friends
What I Hope to Achieve: He hopes to promote the development of performing arts in the region and back home
Anything to Share: He wants to work in the performing arts world
Where do you call home? Tokyo
Bio: Emilie is a freshman intending to major in Math. She is from Japan but she is learning Chinese and very happy to be part of the Arts & Culture team!
Why I Joined: Emilie joined CGF because she wants to integrate myself in the Chinese culture and she hopes that her experience in performance arts can benefit this year's forum!
What I Hope to Achieve: Emilie hopes to achieve through CGF a better understanding of both worlds - China and the Gulf - specifically from the performance arts perspective. She hopes to shed light on the similarities and differences between the two cultures and identities.
Where do you call home? Hefei
Bio: Yutong is a freshman student from China. She really likes cooking and reading all kinds of books!
Why I Joined: Growing up in China and studying in the UAE, Yutong is really interested in how does the relationship between two places that she calls home change and develop throughout time :)
What I Hope to Achieve: She wants to meet more people and bridge people together.
Anything to Share: She realized recently that both China and the Gulf has a big culture on calligraphy!
Where do you call home? Republic of Moldova
Bio: Nicoleta is a freshman majoring in Economics with a strong interest in global affairs and public policy. Her passion lies in understanding the intricate relationships between economic systems, governance, and societal development. Beyond academics, she enjoys writing thought-provoking pieces and exploring different cultures and histories through my readings. In her free time, you’ll likely find her cycling, jogging, or getting lost in a book or documentary that leaves her with lingering questions..
Why I Joined: Nicoleta joined the CGF because of my deep interest in the economic, political, and cultural dynamics of the Gulf region and its evolving relationship with China. As an Economics major with a strong passion for global affairs, she is particularly intrigued by the strategic partnerships, trade agreements, and investment flows that shape this relationship. This opportunity allows her to explore these dynamics, engage in insightful discussions, and connect with experts and peers who share her curiosity.
What I Hope to Achieve: Through the CGF, she hopes to deepen her understanding of the evolving relationship between China and the Gulf, not just in terms of trade and investment but also in the subtler dimensions of diplomacy, culture, and strategic influence. She wants to explore how economic interdependence is reshaping global power dynamics and what this means for the future of the region. She aims to engage in thought-provoking discussions with my peers and uncover perspectives that often go unnoticed. Most importantly, she wants to contribute meaningfully, whether by offering her own insights or working on initiatives that foster a better understanding of this critical partnership to a wider audience.
Anything to Share:Something that Nicoleta finds interesting about the Gulf and Chinese culture is the shared theme of hospitality. In the Gulf, the tradition of offering Arabic coffee and dates symbolizes generosity and respect, while in China, the tea culture reflects mindfulness and social bonding. They highlight the beauty of connection through similar rituals.
Where do you call home? Shanghai
Bio: Yuhe is a Junior majoring in economics.
Why I Joined: She wants to contribute to the conversation and learn from engaging.
What I Hope to Achieve: She hopes to help more people understand the bonds between two regions.
Where do you call home? Poland
Bio: Anna is a sophomore from Poland studying Political Science and minoring in Chinese and Peace Studies. Her academic interests lie in international relations, especially US-China relations, and conflict studies. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and exploring new places with her friends, as well as learning new things by reading or talking about them with others.
Why I Joined: She joined CGF because she wanted to be a part of an extraordinary, yet well-established conference which brings together two very interesting actors in the current global politics. She also wanted to work with some other students who, just like herself, are passionate about international relations and keen on exploring them in more depth, as well as meeting stakeholders and decision-makers who play a crucial role in making policies a reality.
What I Hope to Achieve: She hopes to become more skilled in conference organization and reaching out to high-stakes officials. She also considers it to be a perfect opportunity for networking with like-minded individuals living in the region!
Anything to Share: If she could travel anywhere in the world, she would go to Patagonia region in Argentina because of its stunning views and clean air.
Where do you call home? UAE
Bio: Salama is an Emirati freshman planning to major in Engineering :)
Why I Joined: She loves volunteering and working in things outside the scope of studying and my major, which is why she joined the China Gulf Forum this semester. She also is very interested in the relationship between China and the UAE and is confident that these relations will continue to grow in the upcoming years, which is why she chose to join the International Trade and Relations team in particular.
What I Hope to Achieve: Through CGF, Salama is hoping to build on her knowledge of international trade, learn more about China, and polish her leadership skills. She is also looking forward to building connections to add to her network.
Anything to Share: If Salama could travel anywhere in the world, she would choose to go to Japan because she really loves the culture and atmosphere of Japanese society. She is also a big fan of their Anime so she’d love to go to the country where all the magic happens.
Where do you call home? China
Bio: Treedom is currently working as a research assistant at a cognitive neuroscience lab at NYUAD. She really enjoys trying out new things and learning new skills.
Why I Joined: Treedom believes CGF is a great platform to collaborate with like-minded students, and it offers great opportunity to connect with experienced industry experts, business leaders, and policy makers.
What I Hope to Achieve: Treedom hopes to expand my knowledge in the field of international trade and relations between China and the Gulf and apply her knowledge to her future business initiatives.
Anything to Share: One fun fact about her is that she thinks she would be a good Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner if she didn't come to NYUAD for undergraduate (which she absolutely enjoyed).
Where do you call home? China
Bio: Victoria is a junior majoring in SRPP.
Why I Joined: To explore more about Gulf China relations
What I Hope to Achieve: Have more network
Anything to Share: She loves wall climbing
Where do you call home? Suzhou
Bio: Jiale am a junior majoring in psychology.
Why I Joined: This is his second time joining CGF. He had a great experience last year on the programming team, in which he came up with a list of speakers for the art and culture panel, connected with speakers, and prepared interview questions. It brought him a great sense of satisfaction seeing the forum implemented and seeing the participants in our panel. This experience motivated him to join the marketing team this year to work with his friends and draw participants to this great forum, which he enjoyed a lot last year.
What I Hope to Achieve: Market a great forum for everyone, to make the experience memorable for them.
Where do you call home? Abu Dhabi
Bio: Elizabeth is a final year student double majoring in Economics and Social Research and Public Policy at New York University Abu Dhabi. As a member of CGF 5.0’s marketing team, she is excited about the opportunity to foster dialogue between China and the Gulf. Outside of CGF, she enjoys playing the piano and exploring new cuisines during her spare time.
Why I Joined: Elizabeth joined CGF to contribute to a platform that bridges cultures, economies, and ideas in ways that resonate globally. The forum’s commitment to empowering young leaders and addressing critical issues like sustainable development and technological innovation aligns with her belief in collaborative, forward-thinking solutions.
What I Hope to Achieve: Elizabeth would love to explore perspectives that deepen mutual understanding between regions while utilizing innovative marketing strategies to expand CGF’s global audience and foster meaningful connections. Moreover, she is excited to advocate how young professionals can shape the future of international collaboration through CGF.
Where do you call home? Taiwan
Bio: Je-Luen is a senior majoring in Business and minoring in music. If you are looking for someone to play piano for a project or an event, he is your guy.
Why I Joined: Je-Luen joined CGF last semester and had an amazing experience. He enjoyed learning about all the different collaborations between China and the Gulf region, as well as the potential career opportunities that stem from the alliance.
What I Hope to Achieve: Je-Luen hopes to learn more about the cooperation between China and the Gulf region and contribute the knowledge I've gained to my capstone project on the Belt-Road Initiative. He also wants to put the marketing skills he learned in class to use in the marketing team.
Anything to Share: He played piano since I was 3 years old.
Where do you call home? Suzhou
Bio: Stephanie is a senior student at NYU Abu Dhabi, double majoring in Film and Business. She joined CGF in 2022 and has been leading marketing efforts to expand the forum’s reach and engagement. As Head of Marketing, she oversees branding, digital strategy, and community outreach, ensuring CGF continues to foster meaningful dialogue between China and the Gulf. Passionate about cross-cultural communication, she is dedicated to amplifying CGF’s mission and connecting global audiences.
Why I Joined: Stephanie spent two semesters in Abu Dhabi. Therefore, she decided to join more events that are helpful for her development and deepen her engagement with this region. Last semester, she volunteered in the event of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations China and UAE. This year, she hopes to achieve more in the futher engaging of China and the Gulf.
What I Hope to Achieve: Stephanie hopes to gain skills in management and leadership and help people embrace diverse cultures. She hopes through CGF, people in China and the Gulf can have a direct conversation with each other and promote our mutual understanding and friendship for a shared future in the changing world.
Where do you call home? Lebanon
Bio: Ali Al Dailati is a freshman majoring in Biology and minoring in Political Science. He is a big aviation enthusiast and an avid political thinker!
Why I Joined: He joined the 2025 China Gulf Forum to engage with emerging Gulf-China partnerships driving BRICS-aligned economic growth and multilateral cooperation.
What I Hope to Achieve: As part of the operations team, Ali aims to support initiatives amplifying China’s strategic influence through resource allocation frameworks that align with BRICS expansion goals.
Where do you call home? Shanghai
Bio: Jingyi is a visiting student from NYU Shanghai. She is in her junior year, and she spent a year in Abu Dhabi for study away experience. Her major is Economics. In her spare time, she enjoys sports, crafting and writing, and helping animals.
Why I Joined: Jingyi spent two semesters in Abu Dhabi. Therefore, she decided to join more events that are helpful for her development and deepen her engagement with this region. Last semester, she volunteered in the event of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations China and UAE. This year, she hopes to achieve more in the futher engaging of China and the Gulf.
What I Hope to Achieve: Jingyi hopes to gain skills in management and leadership and help people embrace diverse cultures. She hopes through CGF, people in China and the Gulf can have a direct conversation with each other and promote our mutual understanding and friendship for a shared future in the changing world.
Anything to Share: Jingyi wants to have superpower of teleport. She wants to travel through all the NYU Campus. She wants to learn with her friends in New York, eat with her family in Shanghai, play sports and live in Abu Dhabi, and go for weekend trip in Floerance.
Where do you call home? China
Bio: Luyi is a visiting student from NYU Shanghai, double majoring in Business and Finance & Social Science.
Why I Joined: She is interested in the dynamic relationship between China and the Gulf
What I Hope to Achieve: She hopes to meet new friends and gain new insights through CGF
Where do you call home? China
Bio: Qiuyu is a sophomore double majoring in Economics and Mathematics at NYUAD. She is the Head of the Operations and Budgeting Team, where she loves bringing structure to ideas and making things happen. Beyond numbers and spreadsheets, she is someone who truly enjoys connecting with people, making friends, and having meaningful conversations. Whether it’s through brainstorming exciting initiatives or just chatting over coffee, she is always up for meeting new people and sharing ideas. She is looking forward to getting to know you all! 😊✨
Why I Joined: Qiuyu joined CGF because of my deep interest in the evolving China-Gulf relationship, particularly in how economic collaboration, trade, and policy shape the region’s future. Her experience at last year’s forum was incredibly enriching—she had the opportunity to engage with industry leaders, witness high-level discussions, and contribute to meaningful dialogues about bilateral partnerships. What brings she back this year is her desire to further explore emerging opportunities in sectors like finance, sustainability, and technology, where China and the Gulf are increasingly intertwined.
What I Hope to Achieve: Through CGF, she hopes to deepen my understanding of the China-Gulf economic relationship, particularly in areas like finance, sustainability, and emerging markets. Given her background in economics and mathematics, she wants to explore how data-driven insights can inform policy and investment strategies between these two regions. Beyond learning, Qiuyu aims to actively contribute—whether through engaging in discussions, networking with industry leaders, or leveraging my analytical skills to support meaningful dialogue. She also sees CGF as an opportunity to bridge cultural and business perspectives, fostering stronger collaborations between China and the Gulf. Ultimately, she hopes to leave the forum with valuable connections, fresh perspectives, and actionable insights that she can apply to her future academic and professional pursuits.
Anything to Share: As for travel, she'd love to explore Saudi Arabia, especially its Vision 2030 projects and the transformation of cities like Neom. Seeing how a nation reshapes its economy and infrastructure fascinates her, especially as someone interested in finance and sustainability.
Where do you call home? Czech Republic
Bio: Katerina is a senior majoring in Physics with a specialization in Astrophysics. She is passionate about space exploration, with a particular interest in the Chinese space program and UAE space missions.
Why I Joined: Katerina joined the China Gulf Forum because she recognized the rapid growth of China’s space industry and wanted to create a space-focused panel that highlights these achievements while exploring potential collaborations between China and the Gulf region.
What I Hope to Achieve: Through CGF, Katrina hopes to foster discussions on space cooperation, bring attention to emerging opportunities in the space sector, and gain a deeper understanding of how China and the Gulf can collaborate in space exploration and technology.
Anything to Share: In the future she would love to work on space policies for UN Office for Outer Space Affairs.
Where do you call home? China
Bio: Yanlin is a junior majoring in CS and minoring in applied math and economics. She loves wall climbing and dogs.
Why I Joined: She loves the potential of the collaboration between china and gulf and love to explore this field.
What I Hope to Achieve: Yanlin want to hone my web design skills.
Where do you call home? China
Bio: Sophie is a third-year Computer Science undergraduate at NYU Abu Dhabi. Enthusiastic Full Stack Developer and Data Analyst with a passion for technology, 10 years of violin experience, a love for film, and a deep appreciation for international travel.
Why I Joined: Sophie joined CGF because she is inspired by the team’s impactful initiatives, such as roundtable discussions on professional development, cross-border investment, and global enterprise expansion.
What I Hope to Achieve: As a member of the tech team, her goal is to foster deeper conversations in the tech field by leveraging her technical and organizational skills to curate meaningful programming.
Anything to Share: She'd travel to Berlin for its vibrant tech scene, rich history, diverse culture, and incredible food, especially the street markets!