China, CEE countries mark year of media partnership

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A ceremony has been held in Beijing to conclude a year of media cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) and to start one of local collaboration.

Senior officials from the 17 participating nations were told by Tong Gang, vice minister of China’s state administration of press, publication, radio, film and television, that more than 50 joint media events were held, expanding channels of communication.

The projects covered fields like policy communication, news coverage, program exchange, co-production, and TV & Film exhibitions.

Over 300 government officials, entrepreneurs, media practitioners from China and CEE countries gathered in Beijing on Friday to conclude the year of media cooperation and welcome the year of local cooperation under the “16 plus one” mechanism. /CGTN Photo

Grigor Porozhanov, the Bulgarian ambassador in Beijing, said his country sent leading journalists to visit China, especially the eastern provinces, to find out the real China.

Participants at the ceremony said the past year of media cooperation has been fruitful.

Nebojsa Koharovic, Croatian ambassador, said his country was involved in many big projects with China, and Chinese TV coverage on Croatia boosted tourism in his country.

Participants said the past year expanded the scope of their cooperation beyond trade and investment, and such exchanges would help create a fairer and more balanced flow of information among them.

Participants reviewed and listened to the lectures on their media activities during the 2017 Year of China-CEEC Media Cooperation. /CGTN Photo

Although the year of China-CEEC media cooperation has concluded, exchanges among China and the other 16 countries will continue, and cooperation will be stronger than ever, according to the organizer of the ceremony.

And a year of more general cooperation between local governments and enterprises from the countries has just begun.

Wang Chao, the Chinese vice foreign minister, said that as local development underpins the social and economic development of a county, local cooperation between China and the CEE countries reflects the features of the so-called 16+1 cooperation.

The local emphasis comes after more than five years since the "16 plus one" mechanism was launched in 2012.

Participants said they would continue to support the twinning of capitals, provinces, regions and municipalities and send visiting delegations to foster direct exchanges and cooperation at the local level and beyond.

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