China-Europe Cooperation: Government spokespersons share experience, insights

World
Europe

As 5G and emerging new media platforms become mainstream, how will governments use them to better improve their skills of communication with the public? That was one of many topics up for discussion at the third annual Spokespersons' Dialogue between China and Central and European countries. CGTN's Yang Jinghao takes us to the city of Guiyang in Southwestern China.

How to better communicate with the public and the outside world in a faster, more open way? A lively issue discussed by more than 30 government spokespersons from China, and central and eastern European countries.

Guo Weimin, Vice Minister of China's State Council Information Office, underlined the significance of the talks as the event began.

GUO WEIMIN, VICE MINISTER CHINA'S STATE COUNCIL INFORMATION OFFICE "Though China and CEE countries have different political systems and development statuses, they also share many similarities in the working mode of the spokespersons and the roles they play. Enhancing communication in this sphere is conducive to promoting mutual understanding and friendship."

Launched in 2017, the dialogue is an integral part of the "17+1" cooperation format between China and CEE countries. It seeks more common ground from both sides.

An important topic of the meeting: how fast-evolving technologies are impacting the government's public communication. Guests strategized how to take advantage of 5G and emerging new media platforms to improve the effectiveness of their work.

Lyu Jing, spokesperson for China's Ministry of Science and Technology, called for closer technological collaboration to diversify how information is released.

LYU JING, SPOKESPERSON CHINA'S MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY "We also hope that we can work with different countries, CEE ones included, to strengthen global governance of technology. This would include establishing science and technology ethics and safeguarding Internet security, to prevent the abuse of some new technologies in the communication sphere."

As the Belt and Road Initiative advances, both parties have witnessed a series of achievements in trade, infrastructure and other fields. The attendees all agreed that spokespeople have an important job in carrying the initiative forward to benefit more people.

MARKO MILIC SPOKESPERSON FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF CROATIA "We have to bring the new-added value to this initiative, and to explain to our people to better understand China, to better understand the perspective of this initiative and avoid any fears or any doubts about China's intention in Europe."

YANG JINGHAO GUIYANG "Participants say the frequent communication among spokespersons will further deepen the people-to-people exchanges between the two sides and contribute to a strong bilateral relationship as a whole. YJH, CGTN, GUIYANG, GUIZHOU PROVINCE."