China, Germany media forum builds bridges

Media from both Germany and China fulfilled an urgent need for equitable, close, impartial dialogue and deepened mutual understandings at the fifth China-Germany Media Forum that kicked off on Wednesday.

A delegation of reporters from leading German media outlets on Wednesday met with their counterparts from several major Chinese news outlets, including the People's Daily, China Central Television and the Global Times.

Media professionals from both sides engaged in incisive discussion at the fifth China-Germany Media Forum on a wide range of issues, from ethnic integration and assimilation, the global economy, to the status quo, media cooperation and prospects for China-Germany political relations.

The forum is meant to deepen exchanges and cooperation between China and Germany.

"As media boast distinctive advantage of cultural exchanges between peoples worldwide, I hope Chinese and German media will make greater contributions to cementing the friendship between the two countries." Yang Zhenwu, president of People's Daily, said at the forum.

"It will provide an example for exchanges between China and Germany, and will help to clear up many misunderstandings," said Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief of the Global Times.

Ingrid Hamm, executive director of German foundation Robert Bosch Stiftung, told the Global Times that reporters are vital to the formation of public opinion.

"Many Germans have changed their views toward China due to the forum. Criticizing China used to be the easiest way to cover China, yet reporters who have participated in the forum now will question coverage that criticizes China indiscriminately," Hamm said.

"Officials from both sides have attached great importance to the forum. German politicians like to exchange views with journalists who attended the forum," she added.

Meanwhile, the Chinese government and politicians have realized that criticism against China voiced by Germany journalists, at least those journalists who attended the forum, does not mean unfriendliness, she explained, adding that the reporters just want to offer constructive advice instead simply finding fault.

Jointly sponsored by the Global Times and the Robert Bosch Stiftung, the China-Germany Media Forum has served as a platform for close exchanges between media from the two countries since 2010.