Information ministers and officials from China and six ASEAN countries have worked out an initiative in the city of Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, for boosting media cooperation. The event, held by China's State Council Information Office, attracted the participation of delegates from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines and Thailand. 

Participants acknowledged that media organizations have been playing a vital role in promoting sustainable and in-depth development of China-ASEAN relations. Jiang Jianguo, Deputy Head of the Publicity Department of CPC Central Committee, said the media should adopt an open-minded approach and help share each other's experience of development. They should create touching stories reflecting closer China-ASEAN cooperation and people's aspirations. 

The meeting has proposed initiatives on media cooperation. 

I. Encourage news and media authorities to enhance communication and mutual visits while sharing experience and views on policies, regulations and development strategies in the field of news and media. 

II. Actively promote exchanges and cooperation among media outlets in various forms, including but not limited to: program exchange, information sharing, film co-production, joint news coverage and personnel exchange. 

III. Encourage media organizations to actively cover the economic, political, cultural, social and ecological accomplishments achieved by China and ASEAN member states, so as to increase mutual understanding and friendship among the peoples. 

IV. Enhance exchanges and cooperation in the areas of press, publication, broadcasting, film, television and new media. 

V. Encourage media associations to help push forward media cooperation by increasing contacts and communication. 

VI. Facilitate journalists’ access to interviewees on important occasions and provide training opportunities for media professionals. 

VII. Boost people-to-people exchanges, advocate dialogue among Asian civilizations and encourage think tanks to carry out discussions on issues of common concern including political stability, economy, society and culture. 

VIII. Promote the establishment of a Belt and Road media cooperation alliance and the building of a platform for media exchanges, with the aim to facilitate information sharing and in-depth cooperation among media organizations. 

Since China and ASEAN established a dialogue in 1991, both sides have seen expanded cultural exchanges and the constant deepening of cooperation. The delegates believe the initiative will further enrich China-ASEAN relations. It will help media organizations increase inter-civilization exchanges, to promote inclusiveness and respect for differences.