The third CGTN Global Media Summit and CCTV+ Video Media Forum (VMF) opened on Wednesday in Beijing under the theme of "Media vs. Technology."

President of China Media Group (CMG) Shen Haixiong said in a speech that "in the face of a complicated and complex world, the role of global media should be constructive, not destructive. It should be to promote integration, not to strengthen disputes."

"In the history of world media development, there may have never been a historical period like this, when technology has brought profound changes to media," he added.

CMG is making great efforts to seize the historical opportunities brought by the development of science and technology to the media, and has proposed a development strategy of "5G+4K/8K+AI" to fully meet the thirst of new media for new technology and effectively promote the actuation of new technology to new media.

On October 1 last year, Chinese broadcaster CCTV launched a 4K Ultra HD channel, the first UHD TV channel in China. On November 20 this year, 5G-powered video app Yangshipin was officially launched, providing users with the latest and best audio-visual experience. Shen said CMG is determined to launch an 8K UHD pilot channel ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.

The summit will feature discussions on a variety of topics centered on the relationship between technology and media. Among the themes are "5G & the Future: A New Era of Technology Innovation" and "Tech, News and the New Generation: The Evolution of Content Consumption."

The CGTN Think Tank was officially launched during the summit during an event attended by CMG President Shen Haixiong and Vice President of CCTV Sun Yusheng. A total of 50 Think Tanks and institutions from China and abroad have established cooperative relations with the CGTN Think Tank.

The institute aims to promote cooperation among global Think Tanks by building an open platform for exchanges, contributing insight views on world affairs and helping CGTN become a first-class international media with high-quality content.

Zheng Bijian, chairman of the China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy, expressed his belief that the CGTN Think Tank will set up a new international bridge between China and the world, which will become an important platform to "understand China and understand the world."

Former Prime Minister of Belgium Yves Leterme said that CGTN and the CGTN Think Tank will provide quality coverage and thoughtful analysis and perspectives. He welcomed the initiative and looked forward to greater development of the CGTN Think Tank in the future.

British author and journalist Martin Jacques pointed out that in an era of rapid global change and great uncertainty, thinking and discussion are essential. CGTN has earned a reputation for objective reporting and extensive discussion, he said, adding that the newly formed Think Tank will help improve CGTN's ability to understand and report globally.

Tech and media panel discussion

In the first panel discussion of the summit, panelists focused on the reshaping of the news industry and how news organizations can become more competitive by using new technology. CGTN Digital Deputy Director Zhang Shilei shared her view of the relationship between technology and human creativity, and said news outlets are basically story tellers. Regardless of how technology changes news production, the competitiveness of news outlets should focus on creating good and valuable content.

"From my personal perspective, CGTN's strategy of Think Tank is we try to study the international affairs, facts and ideas in order to encourage our understanding of the world in global view rather than only with the national identity, or as I call it, global capacity and AI capacity to understand the world better," Zhang said.

"The ultimate goal for CGTN and even the whole media industry is that we search, share, and pursue the common good for the humanity," Zhang added.

Zhang emphasized there are still many unknown parts in new technology, and there is still a question of how far we can rely on technology in the creation and production of news. In this case, the content is still the vital element for newsrooms.

CGTN announced Wednesday that it has officially entered the Amazon Fire TV range and will cooperate with Microsoft News to distribute high-quality content on its website.

"CGTN NOW includes 24/7 CGTN LIVE TV content for Fire TV users. Aside from showcasing our award-winning stories, we also strive for original on-demand content on topics we are passionate about," said Liu Cong, director of CGTN English Channel.

CGTN's multi-lingual content will also be available on Microsoft News, including original and exclusive content in English, Spanish, French, Arabic and Russian.

Liu also introduced CGTN's "Ask Panda" and "T-House" to the audience.

"Ask Panda" is an AI-powered voice assistant that provides a better and more personalized news experience for users, and "T-House" provides in-depth analysis, unique insights and expert commentary on events shaping China and the world.

Read more: CGTN joins Amazon Fire TV and Microsoft News