MEDIA, THINK TANKS PLAY VITAL ROLE SHAPING DIALOGUE, POLICY -- BERNAMA CHAIRMAN

By Lucia John and Wong Cheng Hau

KUALA LUMPUR, April 11 (Bernama) -- The ASEAN-China Media and Think Tank Forum (ACMF) serves as a reminder of the vital role media and think tanks play in shaping dialogue and influencing policy, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Chairman, Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, said. 

“We are not only storytellers but also bridge-builders in an increasingly complex world,” he said in his speech at the gala dinner held in conjunction with the forum, here on Friday.

Themed “Strengthening China-ASEAN Cooperation,” Wong noted that the forum facilitated discussions on a wide range of issues, from civilisational exchange and maritime partnerships to artificial intelligence – all framed by a spirit of openness and mutual respect.

“Such spaces for reflection and collaboration are essential. They help us move from dialogue to action, from understanding to trust, and from trust to shared progress.

“We hope today’s connections lead to lasting partnerships – whether through joint media projects, collaborative research, innovation, or people-to-people exchanges, ”he added.

Wong also highlighted the forum's compelling calls for deeper ASEAN-China collaboration and  reflections on how far they have come together, particularly through partnerships such as the one between Bernama and  Xinhua News Agency, which began in 1985.

“This longstanding alliance has fostered mutual trust and understanding – values that remain just as crucial today as we confront new challenges and explore new opportunities,”he said.

Meanwhile, Editor-in-Chief of Xinhua News Agency (Xinhua), Lyu Yansong, highlighted that standing at this new historical starting point, China and ASEAN are writing a new chapter of the era on the path of modernisation, hand in hand, side by side.

He said that media and think tanks also need to work together to record the traditional friendship between China and ASEAN – “which are good neighbours, good friends, and good partners” – as well as to record the journey towards shared prosperity of China and ASEAN.

“As a Malaysian proverb goes, ‘To climb the hill together and go down the ravine together’ (Bukit sama didaki, lurah sama dituruni). This resonates with the Chinese saying, ‘The fire burns high when everybody brings wood to it’.

“I am confident that as we continue to strengthen exchanges and deepen cooperation, we will certainly be able to open up new horizons for the development of China-ASEAN friendly relations,” said Lyu.

The one-day forum was opened by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof earlier today, with Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and his deputy Teo Nie Ching among those present.

Also in attendance were the Secretary-General of the Communications Ministry Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, Bernama’s Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, and Bernama’s Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj.

-- BERNAMA