Media urged to promote Beijing-Seoul cooperation

Media outlets and professionals from China and South Korea should work together to promote communication and boost cooperation between the two countries, officials and experts have said.

They made the remarks at the 14th China-South Korea Media High-level Dialogue held simultaneously in Beijing and Seoul on Tuesday, with representatives from nearly 30 media organizations from both countries.

Sun Yeli, deputy head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said China and South Korea are close neighbors and partners that cannot be separated.

Noting this year marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and South Korea, Sun said the history of the past 30 years shows the sound and steady development of China-South Korea relations serves the fundamental interests of their peoples.

China will work with South Korea to uphold, consolidate and advance bilateral relations and to provide greater stability for the region and the world, Sun said, urging media professionals from the two countries to promote economic exchanges by covering more stories focusing on emerging industries such as artificial intelligence and the green economy.

Jeon Byung-geuk, the first vice-minister of South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, pointed out the bilateral trade volume between China and South Korea exceeded $300 billion last year as the two countries have ushered in better exchanges and development in economic and cultural fields.

Official data showed trade volume between the two countries reached $214.9 billion in the first seven months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 8.9 percent, signaling strong growth momentum.

People are increasingly dependent on the media to be their eyes and ears in the world, so it's a must for media outlets to enhance cooperation, he said.

Du Zhanyuan, president of China International Communications Group, said cooperation between the two sides in the digital economy has grown over the past years, which will bring more opportunities in the post-COVID era.

He urged media organizations to pay more attention to the new area, as well as other high-end technological collaboration between the two countries.

Launched in 2009, the annual event is held in a rotating location between China and South Korea.