PREPARATIONS FOR ASEAN-CHINA MEDIA AND THINK TANK FORUM 2025 RUNNING SMOOTHLY, ALL SET TO WELCOME 200 DELEGATES

By Mohd Fharkhan Abdul Ghapar

KUALA LUMPUR, April 10 (Bernama) -- The ASEAN-China Media and Think Tank Forum, scheduled for tomorrow, has entered its final stage of preparation, with today’s full rehearsal running smoothly and covering all aspects of logistics, protocol, and technical arrangements.

This international event, jointly organised by Malaysia’s National News Agency (Bernama) and China's Xinhua News Agency, will bring together around 200 delegates including government officials, media leaders, and experts from the ASEAN region and China.

Present at the rehearsal were Bernama Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj.

Held at the InterContinental Hotel Kuala Lumpur, the forum—carrying the theme “Strengthening ASEAN-China Cooperation”—aims to enhance bilateral relations and foster closer collaboration across various sectors.

Key discussion topics include “Promoting Civilisational Exchange,” “Maritime Silk Road Cooperation,” and “Extraordinary Opportunities in the AI Revolution.” 

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof is scheduled to officiate the forum tomorrow morning. Also expected to attend are Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching, and the Ministry’s Secretary-General Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa.

Xinhua News Agency’s Editor-in-Chief Lyu Yansong and senior officials from the agency are also expected to attend the event.

A gala dinner will be held in the evening as part of the one-day forum’s programme.

Among the panel speakers are Bernama Chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, Xinhua Institute Deputy Director Zhu Zhibin, Executive Director of the Indonesia-China Studies Partnership Veronika S. Saraswati, Deputy Director General of the Lao News Agency Sivanxay Siphankham, and Vice Chairman of Myanmar Press Council Khin Maung Zaw.

Previously, Nur-ul Afida highlighted that this inaugural forum will serve as a platform for media organisations and think tanks from ASEAN and China to exchange views and share best practices, particularly in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and automated news production.

“(Through this forum) ASEAN member countries will also be able to engage in more in-depth discussions with their respective strategic partners from China,” she said.

She added that the forum’s organisation is particularly significant as Malaysia chairs ASEAN this year, and also serves as the country coordinator for ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations from 2024 to 2027.

Bernama and Xinhua began their cooperation on 14 December 1985, and renewed their agreement in December 2023 to further strengthen bilateral ties and collaboration in the media sector.

-- BERNAMA