Cooperation stressed in media, think tank forum

KUALA LUMPUR — Representatives of major media outlets and think tanks from China and the 10 countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, gathered in Kuala Lumpur on Friday for the China-ASEAN Media and Think Tank Forum to discuss and promote common development.

Under the theme "Strengthening ASEAN-China Cooperation", participants called for joint efforts to tell the success stories of cooperation between China and ASEAN.

In his opening speech, Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof reaffirmed his country's unwavering commitment to "a cohesive ASEAN-China partnership that will contribute to regional stability and global economic resilience".

He spoke highly of the forum as an invaluable platform for the exchange of ideas among media organizations and think tanks, noting their pivotal role in bridging perspectives, informing policy and promoting regional harmony in this complex era.

It is the shared aspiration of the people of China and ASEAN member states to work together as partners and move forward together, Lyu Yansong, editor-in-chief of Xinhua News Agency, said.

"China and ASEAN countries are vital forces in the Global South. China-ASEAN relations have, in recent years, transcended the bilateral sphere, gaining profound significance in Asia and exerting a global impact," said Lyu.

New momentum

He added that the media and think tanks must amplify the call for jointly building a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home and generate new momentum for building an even closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future.

"I hope our friends from the media and think tanks will actively share the stories of China-Malaysia and China-ASEAN cooperation, and contribute to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind," Ouyang Yujing, Chinese ambassador to Malaysia, said.

Wong Chun Wai, chairman of Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), said strengthening civilizational exchanges between ASEAN and China, which share a vibrant cultural landscape, would help set an example for unity and cooperation among Global South countries, and strengthen the connection and mutual respect among them.

Wong also called for greater media and think tank cooperation between ASEAN and China in areas such as the use of artificial intelligence in mass media practices.

The Xinhua Institute, a think tank affiliated with Xinhua News Agency, presented a report titled "RCEP and the Vision of the Maritime Silk Road: New Frontiers for China-ASEAN Cooperation "at the forum.

A consensus was also released at the forum on Friday.

According to the Kuala Lumpur Consensus document, attendees of the forum called on media and think tanks from China and ASEAN to jointly promote cultural exchanges and closer people-to-people ties, setting an exemplary model for Global South cooperation.

China and ASEAN play pivotal roles in advancing regional cooperation, fostering shared prosperity, maintaining stability, and elevating the status of Global South countries, the document noted.

Co-hosted by China's Xinhua News Agency and Malaysia's Bernama, the forum brought together approximately 260 representatives from more than 160 media outlets, think tanks, government agencies and enterprises across ASEAN countries and China.