ASEAN and Chinese Journalists and Media Representatives Had Informal Discussion in Yunnan Province

On 24 October 2016，the ASEAN media delegation arrived in Yunnan Province to continue with its reporting trip on the theme of “Jointly Building 21st Century Maritime Silk Road”. 

On the morning of 25 October 2016，the 15 ASEAN journalists from 10 ASEAN countries had an informal discussion with correspondents of Xinhua News Agency, China Central TV, People's Daily, China Daily, and China News Service resident in Yunnan as well as representatives from Yunnan Daily and Yunnan Radio. Ms. Chen Shi, Editor-in-chief of China Foreign Languages Publishing Administration and concurrently President of the China Report Magazine presided at the discussion. Mr. Ning Dejin, Vice Director-General of the Information Office of Yunnan Province, Mr. Yao Gang, Vice Secretary of the CPC Party of Yunnan Publishing Group, and Mr. Vithit Powattanasuk, Director of the Information and Public Relations Division of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) joined the discussion.

Ms. Chen Shi said that the advancement of the Belt and Road construction has given rise to more frequent exchanges between relevant countries. She hoped that the ASEAN and Chinese media would take the opportunity of direct communication to air their own views and offer advice on the construction of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and deepening of exchanges and cooperation in the new media era.

After welcoming the journalists to Yunnan, Mr. Ning Dejin said that Yunnan, whose border connects with three ASEAN countries, has a long history of friendly exchanges with them. It now enjoys a unique position and increasing role in the Belt and Road construction. He expected to make a better understanding of the social-economic development of Yunnan for reportage to ASEAN people.

Mr. Vithit Powattanasuk said that ACC has contributed to promoting mutual understanding and friendship between the people of both sides by organizing media exchanges and cooperation. He called for more attention of ASEAN media to the achievements and prospects of Belt and Road for wider publicity.

The media representatives and reporters made briefings on the development of their respective organizations and agencies as well as their exchanges and cooperation with China. They discussed the transformation of media and the development of social networks in the new era. 

The Cambodian, Lao, Brunei, Philippine, and Myanmar reporters all hold the views that new media is playing an increasingly important role in information dissemination. They hoped to further strengthen cooperation with China and spread positive energy of ASEAN-China cooperation in a more efficient way to an enlarged public coverage by taking advantages of new media.