The 2025 Media Cooperation Forum on Belt and Road opened on September 16 in Kunming, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, gathering more than 200 representatives from 87 countries, 165 media organisations, and several international bodies.
Belt and Road Progress Since 2013
Speakers emphasised that since President Xi Jinping introduced the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013, it has become a vital platform for international cooperation and a widely recognised global public good.
At the recent “Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Plus” meeting, Xi also presented the Global Governance Initiative, offering Chinese perspectives for a fairer global order while expanding opportunities for Belt and Road partnerships.
Media as a Bridge Among Civilisations
Forum participants highlighted the media’s responsibility in strengthening cooperation and promoting the spirit of the Silk Road. They called on outlets worldwide to act as storytellers of development achievements, enhance mutual understanding, and build momentum for win-win cooperation.
They also noted that quality reporting can bridge cultural divides, bring people closer, and reinforce the foundation of a community with a shared future for humanity.
Forum Theme and Activities
Jointly hosted by People’s Daily, the CPC Yunnan Provincial Committee, and the Yunnan Provincial Government, the forum adopted the theme “Shared Media Responsibility for Exchanges and Mutual Learning among Civilisations.”
The event featured an opening ceremony, main forum, several sub-forums, the Silk Road Global News Awards, and the 10+3 Media Cooperation Forum. Following the sessions, Chinese and international journalists will take part in joint reporting tours across Yunnan and other provinces.
A Decade of Media Cooperation
Since its launch in 2014, the Media Cooperation Forum on Belt and Road has been held nine times. Over the years, it has brought together more than 1,000 representatives from over 100 countries, creating broad consensus and driving stronger media collaboration in support of high-quality BRI development.
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