Media encouraged to contribute to China-India ties

Media organizations in China and India are expected to forge a synergy in a bid to help advance relations between the two emerging economies, said a top Chinese information official at the Second India-China Media Forum in Beijing on February 1.

"In recent years, China-India relations have seen all-around development. Our mutual strategic trust has been enhanced. Our interests are increasingly interwoven. We've established exchange mechanisms such as strategic economic and financial dialogues. Our practical cooperation has expanded into more areas. All these are inseparable from the efforts of the media of our two countries," said Jiang Jianguo, Minister of the State Council Information Office (SCIO), in his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the forum.

The forum, jointly hosted by the SCIO of China and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India, attracted more than 120 participants, including delegates from some 40 leading Chinese and Indian media organizations as well as scholars and government officials from both countries.

China International Publishing Group, a Beijing-based media conglomerate targeting international audiences, was responsible for organizing the event, together with the External Publicity and Public Diplomacy Division of the Indian MEA. Participants discussed a wide array of issues, including the role of Chinese and Indian media in promoting China-India strategic partnership and economic ties, and opportunities and challenges for media cooperation presented by the growth of new media.

Jiang called on Chinese and Indian media to bear in mind the "dominant direction" of bilateral relations, which is characterized by friendly cooperation. He also suggested media in both countries report more on the flourishing China-India economic and trade ties. In addition, he proposed that media organizations in the two countries explore new channels for communication and collaboration such as increasing the exchanges of journalists, articles, and story ideas as well as carrying out joint interviews.

Speaking about China-India relations, Jiang said both countries are now at a critical stage of development, where the Chinese are striving to realize the Chinese dream and the Indians are going all out to achieve their growth targets.

"Both countries have dreams of national rejuvenation," he said. "China would like to closely link the dreams of the two peoples and jointly pursue our dreams to make both countries strong and prosperous."

With the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st-Martime Silk Road Initiatives as wings, China aims to take off together with the countries involved, he added.

"Both history and reality have proved that friendly cooperation between China and India is beneficial to the people of both countries and countries all over the world," Jiang said. "Harmonious coexistence, joint cooperation and common development between the 'Chinese dragon' and the 'Indian elephant' will create a better life for the 2.5 billion people in our two countries, bring prosperity to Asia and provide opportunities to the world."

In her speech at the opening ceremony, visiting Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said the media forum was envisaged as a platform to encourage appreciation and build understanding of each other's societies in the two countries' media.

"As our strategic and cooperative relationship deepens in the bilateral domain and expands in regional and international cooperation, it is vital that our people have a good understanding of each other's interests and viewpoints," she said.

The launch of the India-China Media Forum was one of the agreements reached during Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to India in 2013 as part of the two countries' efforts to advance cultural exchanges. The first forum was held in New Delhi, India, in September that year.