ASEAN, CHINA UNVEIL INITIATIVES TO ENHANCE MEDIA COLLABORATION, PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE EXCHANGES

By Linda Khoo

DEZHOU (China), June 22 (Bernama) -- ASEAN and China have unveiled transformative initiatives designed to boost media collaboration and strengthen people-to-people exchanges. 

This significant step aims to enhance amicable communication between the peoples on both sides, strengthen the role of the media in promoting the ASEAN-China comprehensive strategic partnership, and build a closer ASEAN-China community with a shared future.

ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) Secretary-General Shi Zhongjun and China International Communications Group (CICG) President Du Zhanyuan launched the ASEAN-China initiatives during the ASEAN-China Media Cooperation Forum in Dezhou City in northwestern Shandong Province in China, on Friday. 

In a statement, ACC and CICG said there are five initiatives proposed to boost media cooperation between ASEAN and China. 

This include establishing an ASEAN-China media cooperation network to promote closer media exchanges and mutual understanding, as well as to facilitate information sharing and practical cooperation.

"We advocate for the early establishment of an ASEAN-China media cooperation network. 

“We welcome more media partners from ASEAN and China to join the platform, enabling extensive and diversified interactions to be conducted regularly. This will contribute greater energy and wisdom to ASEAN-China people-to-people exchanges,” the statement read. 

The statement said ASEAN and Chinese media could bolster sci-tech empowerment by utilising innovative tools such as AI, big data, and cloud computing to innovate means and methods and generate more media-based products for people-to-people exchanges.

Another initiative is to cultivate younger generations to advance ASEAN-China friendship together.

“We shall build a platform for young media professionals from both sides, encourage and support their practical exchanges, injecting fresh vitality into ASEAN-China cooperation in the new era,” the statement read.

The other initiatives include tapping into the values of ASEAN-China history and culture that are still relevant to present circumstances, disseminating Asian values with peace, cooperation, inclusiveness, and integration as the core through various perspectives, promoting exchanges among civilisations of different countries, and consolidating the traditional amity between ASEAN and China that has been inherited. 

Lastly, media from ASEAN and China shall promote the growth of a comprehensive strategic partnership, the statement read. 

“We shall tell a positive story about ASEAN and China seeking common development and cooperation, deliver the true, objective, and all-round message of ASEAN-China cooperation, and play an active role in deepening ASEAN-China mutual trust to elevate the comprehensive strategic cooperation to a higher level, with greater breadth and depth,” it read.

Meanwhile, ACC and CICG said  2024 is ASEAN-China year of people-to-people  exchanges. 

“Media, serving as a bridge of mutual understanding and friendship, has been playing an irreplaceable role in enhancing ASEAN-China exchanges. 

“People-to-people and cultural exchanges have forged a deep bond between ASEAN and China, laying a firm base for both sides to meet each other halfway and carry forward their mission into the future,” the statement read. 

-- BERNAMA