Chinese media experts urge mutual cooperation in Sino-African exchange
By Halima Sheji
A Chinese teacher, Prof. Zhang Genfu, has underscored the need for mutual cooperation through China-Africa media exchanges to advance the Sino-African modernisation.
Zhang, a Deputy-Director of the Zhejiang Normal University (ZJNU) Affairs Committee, made the call during the inaugural ceremony of the Seminar for Omni-media journalists from English-speaking African countries in Jinhua city, China.
He said that the 10 partnership actions announced by President Xi Jinping at the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing elevated Africa-China relations to new heights.
Zhang said, “China has always been a country of action and always done what it says. We believe that in the foreseeable future, China-Africa relations will deepen and cooperation in economy, trade, culture and other fields will be closer.
“I sincerely hope that through this Seminar, we can strengthen exchanges with you, enhance the understanding of Chinese and African media friends in the language and culture.
“Also, strengthen news and cultural exchanges, jointly promote the high-quality development of media undertakings of the two sides, inject new connotation into China-Africa friendship and write a new chapter.
“Let us move towards each other with mutual support and empowerment, jointly advancing the modernisation of China and Africa, and together achieving a bright future.”
He said that the visit of the participants councides with the autumn season when the eyes of the world focused on China-Africa.
“2024 FOCAC Summit held in Beijing in September and the Heads of State, Heads of Government, Heads of Delegation of China and 53 African countries, and the Chairpersons of the African Union (AU) Commissions met in Beijing to draw new blueprint for development of Africa-China relations.
“Now we welcome media friends from 11 countries, including Ghana, South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Mauritius, Zambia, Gambia, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Benin and Nigeria. This is the epitome of China-Africa comprehensive cooperation and friendship,” he added.
He described ZJNU as an institution with disciplines such as Mathematics, Chemistry, Engineering, Materials Science, Environment/Ecology, Computer Science, Zoology, Animal and Plant Sciences, and General Social Sciences in the top 1 per cent of Employees State Insurance (ESI) globally.
He added that the university had cultivated not less than 400,000 talents of all types for the society since its founding 68 years ago, and established cooperation and exchange relations with 280 institutions of higher learning in over 60 countries and regions.
Chen Yan, Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Jinhua Municipal City, urged the journalists to explore the media exchange platform to garner relevant knowledge towards deepening China-African relations.
Chen said, “This year, numerous foreign journalists visited Jinhua. They explored the local markets, industries, countryside, cultural sites and conducted comprehensive reporting on the city.
“Notably, Brazil’s flagship Media Group and the ‘Review’ press crew filmed the ‘Watch China Together’ programme in Jinhua. These related reports were then featured as a series of special topics in Brazil, commemorating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Brazil.
“In May this year, 28 journalists from 27 African countries came to Jinhua and published 72 articles, introducing the colorful Jinhua to the world.
“In July, we held a special ‘overseas universities’ media workshop for Young media professionals from the “Belt and Road” countries, attended by 69 media professionals from 18 countries, all of which are vivid manifestations of the international communication of the Belt and Road Golden Hub.”
Meanwhile, Mr Lassana Tunkara, Deputy General-Manager of QTV/QRadio in The Gambia, spoke on behalf of the journalists saying the seminar titled: “Journalism organisation and news media for Belt and Road Initiative countries”, saying it would enable them advance international best practices in media operations.
Tunkara said, “This seminar presents an extraordinary opportunity to broaden our understanding of global media landscape, particularly within the context of Chinese media experience and our primary goal should be to explore how media can act as catalyst for international collaboration and development.
“We are enthusiastic about diving into the dynamics of vibrant Chinese media landscape with social and new media transforming the way we share and consume information across the world.
“Understanding this trend is essential for shaping media in Africa, especially as we navigate the fast-evolving digital environment. We look forward to learning about business management and how sustainable models can empower media organisations to thrive in competitive markets.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports Jinhua is a prefecture-level city in central Zhejiang Province in eastern China that has jurisdiction over nine counties cities and districts with an area of 11,000 square kilometers and a permanent population of 7.16 million people. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz
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