Guests attending the 2023 ASEAN-China Media Cooperation Forum exchange views on the sidelines of the event, which is held on Monday in Wenzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province. Photo: Lu Jingxian/GT

There is a "blue ocean" of news between China and ASEAN that is worthy of tapping for media organizations between the two sides, said media professionals at the 2023 ASEAN-China Media Cooperation Forum on Monday in Wenzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province.

Since the forum's debut in 2018, this year marks the 6th time the event has been held amid the increasing demand for information of ASEAN and China. Experts at the forum called for tighter cooperation between media organizations of the two sides, especially at a time when they both are victims of rumors and clickbait reporting, and they are also facing discord-sowing by the Western media.

In his speech, Du Zhanyuan, president of China International Communications Group (CICG), said this forum is a concrete action to implement the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative, and is of great significance for sharing development experiences and promoting communication and cooperation.

Shi Zhongjun, Secretary General of the ASEAN-China Centre, stressed that the increasingly close China-ASEAN relationship has become a stabilizer, ballast, and propeller for the region and even the world, setting a good example for international cooperation and common development.

Myanmar Ambassador to China Tin Maung Swe encouraged the media in ASEAN countries to tell more wonderful stories of win-win cooperation between China and ASEAN, promoting policy communication and strategic alignment between the two sides.

As the region is facing intensifying big-power competition and escalating China-US tensions, ASEAN countries are not just spectators who are watching on the sidelines, said Han Yong Hong, associate editor of Lianhe Zaobao of Singapore, adding that media organizations from ASEAN and China have a bigger role to play in facilitating understanding and promoting development.

The year 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative being proposed and the 20th anniversary of China's joining the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.

Other attendees from ASEAN agreed that China's media outlets are leading in Asia in terms of multi-media integrated reporting, while peers in ASEAN still have strong advantage and characteristics in their own way, thus media professionals from the two sides can share experience to advance information flow.

The forum also held two separate panel discussion sessions on "Upgraded connectivity though high-quality communication" and "Better business cooperation through digitalization," on which journalists from roughly a dozen media outlets from China and ASEAN countries shared their views.

Themed "Better Connectivity and Cooperation towards Common Prosperity," this year's event was hosted by CICG, ASEAN-China Centre, Information Office of People's Government of Zhejiang Province and Foreign Affairs Office of People's Government of Zhejiang Province.

The host city Wenzhou is a pioneering city in China's opening-up and an important hub in the Maritime Silk Road. Zhang Zhenfeng, mayor of Wenzhou, pointed out in the opening speech that under the BRI and the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, Wenzhou and ASEAN countries have engaged in extensive and in-depth cooperation in various fields such as economy, culture and technology.

More than 130 guests, including government officials, diplomats from ASEAN countries and media professionals, attended the event on Monday.

Global Times