Belt and Road Media Community Summit Forum held in China's Chongqing

The 2024 Belt and Road Media Community Summit Forum, hosted by China Media Group (CMG) and co-organized by China International Television Corporation (CITVC) and the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Chongqing Municipal Committee, was held on Wednesday in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality.

Themed "Land Meets Sea: Towards Innovation, Intelligence, and the Future," the forum was attended by 160 representatives of domestic and foreign media organizations, experts, and scholars in related fields from 30 countries and regions.

Yuan Jiajun, party secretary of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee, attended the opening ceremony and jointly launched the forum and the grand exhibition of Chinese classic animations in honor of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China with Shen Haixiong, vice minister of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and president of CMG; Hu Jinjun, vice president of CMG; Ahmed Nadeem, secretary-general of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union; and Abdulrahim Suleiman, secretary-general of the Arab States Broadcasting Union.

Yuan Jiajun emphasized that Chongqing is actively pioneering innovative reforms to establish a comprehensive, integrated urban governance system. The city is also driving forward new urbanization and rural revitalization.

Chongqing aspires to be a pioneer in high-quality development in western China, a key area for inland opening and international cooperation, and a forerunner in comprehensive and deep reforms, contributing to China's modernization.

Yuan also noted that, leveraging this forum, Chongqing will accelerate its transformation into an open international hub, strengthen its role as western China's international communications center, cultivate top-tier global communication brands, harness technology to innovate media and expand intercultural exchanges. By actively participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Chongqing aims to amplify China's voice on the global stage.

Shen Haixiong noted that 2024 marks the beginning of the second decade since President Xi Jinping proposed the BRI. As the world's largest comprehensive international media organization with the most diverse forms and the widest coverage, China Media Group has initiated the establishment of the world's first international television and media alliance centered around the Silk Road – the Belt and Road Media Community.

Looking ahead, CMG will continue to deepen media cooperation and strengthen friendships along the Silk Road. It aims to help global audiences share the wisdom and opportunities that China's modernization offers, build new platforms for international exchange and cooperation through intelligent communication, and promote digital civilization for the benefit of the world.

CMG will uphold its media responsibilities, promote the spirit of the BRI, create a multi-level platform for cultural dialogue and exchange, and foster mutual understanding, trust, and friendship among peoples.

Ahmad Nadim stated that the collaboration between the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union and the Belt and Road Media Community is a journey of shared values and mutual growth built upon trust, cooperation and excellence.

The Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union is committed to further integrating innovation and cooperation, working with the Belt and Road Media Community and partners to focus on topics such as climate change and social cohesion, and continuously enhancing media credibility.

Abdulrahim Suleiman stated that the Arab States Broadcasting Union highly values advancing technological development and digital transformation in the media sector and is committed to working with community members to tackle the challenges posed by artificial intelligence. The Arab States Broadcasting Union wishes to deepen media cooperation with China to contribute to the prosperity and stability of both regions.

Multiple international cooperation projects were signed at the event, marking significant progress in cross-border media collaboration. The agreements included a commemorative animation exhibition celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, AI-powered overseas pre-sale of multilingual television program translations, joint production of documentary films about the Yangtze River, and strategic partnerships between First Eye TV and media organizations from Hungary, Belarus and international media companies.

At the main forum, domestic and foreign experts, scholars, media representatives and industry leaders engaged in discussions and shared insights on various topics such as "Generative AI and Media Transformation" and "How to Contribute Media Power to Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind." Additionally, the forum featured an international cooperation promotion event, showcasing a series of CMG projects to a global audience, along with a selection of local Chongqing projects.

The Silk Road Television Community has grown to encompass 148 mainstream media institutions across 64 countries and regions. This expansive network has aggregated resources spanning television production, broadcasting, translation, industry development, integrated communication and think tank expertise.

(Cover via CMG)