By Mohd Fharkhan Abdul Ghapar
KUALA LUMPUR, April 11 (Bernama) – The ASEAN-China Media and Think Tank Forum – held in the capital today and bringing together over 200 participants from 160 media organisations, think tanks, government agencies, and companies from across ASEAN and China – is seen as a strategic medium to further strengthen regional cooperation amid an evolving global and media landscape.
The one-day forum, themed ‘Strengthening ASEAN-China Cooperation’, was co-organised by the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) and China’s Xinhua News Agency. It served as a platform for dialogue and exploration of opportunities in areas such as digital innovation, artificial intelligence (AI), trade, economy, and cultural heritage among regional member states.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, in officiating the forum this morning, emphasised that the event was in line with the Malaysian government’s commitment to fostering regional dialogue and multilateral cooperation, especially as Malaysia assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship this year.
“This forum plays an important role as a platform to bring ASEAN’s voice to the global stage, promote regional stability, and expand maritime cooperation under the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiative, which is a key component of the Belt and Road Initiative,” he said.
Meanwhile, in view of the encouraging response and strong participation, Bernama’s Chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai proposed that the forum be made an annual event, to be hosted alternately by ASEAN countries and China.
“It would be beneficial if the ASEAN-China Media and Think Tank Forum were held annually, either in an ASEAN country or in China,” he said, also proposing the establishment of an innovation hub to foster creativity in addressing local challenges and contributing to the development of global knowledge.
The forum was also attended by Minister of Communications Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and his Deputy, Teo Nie Ching; Secretary-General of the Ministry of Communications Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa; Xinhua News Agency’s Editor-in-Chief Lyu Yansong; Bernama’s Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin; and Bernama’s Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj.
The programme featured two plenary sessions discussing topics such as “Promoting Civilisational Exchange”, “Harnessing the AI Revolution”, and “Seizing Unprecedented Opportunities”, alongside a panel discussion on “ASEAN-China Connectivity and Common Market”.
In addition to Wong, the panel of speakers included Deputy Director of the Xinhua Institute at Xinhua News Agency Zhu Zhibin, Executive Director of the Indonesia-China Partnership Studies Veronika S. Saraswati, and Deputy Director-General of the Lao News Agency, Sivanxay Siphankham.
-- BERNAMA
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