The 2026 Media Forum "Belt and Road" was recently held in Fuzhou, Fujian Province in southern China. This event brought together over 200 participants from 100 countries, including representatives from 182 organizations and media outlets. Muscat Media Group attended this forum representing the Sultanate of Oman.
Forum Focused on Media Cooperation
The forum was held under the theme "Towards Shared Understandings and Common Aspirations Along the Belt and Road" and was supported by international marketing development initiatives. This comprehensive event was organized by the "People's Daily" in collaboration with the Fujian Provincial People's Government. The forum attracted a diverse group of political, media, and academic leaders from around the world, who emphasized the key role of media in enhancing dialogue between civilizations and establishing international economic cooperation.
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This theme is particularly relevant within the framework of the global "Belt and Road" initiative launched by President Xi Jinping in 2013. This initiative has led to the advancement of hundreds of major projects along the "Maritime Silk Road" and has connected China to other parts of the world through bilateral and multilateral economic, trade, and investment cooperation.
Emphasis on Media Cooperation Among Different Countries
During the opening session of the forum, attended by senior representatives of the Chinese government, the Communist Party of China, and the "People's Daily," including Mr. Yu Shaoliang, President of the "People's Daily," the importance and necessity of strengthening cooperation among media organizations in different countries were emphasized. They noted that this cooperation could enhance political communication and strengthen closer ties among nations.
Key speeches highlighted three strategic pillars that shape the future of media and economic cooperation. The first pillar is to strengthen "partnership" through the exchange of content and technical expertise to maintain the positive momentum of projects. The second pillar promotes the concept of "communication" as a bridge to bring cultures and markets closer together, while emphasizing the importance of local expression and global perspective in overcoming mental barriers and reducing psychological distances between nations.
Xian Hui, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, in his opening speech, referred to the strategic importance of Fujian Province as the historical starting point of the "Maritime Silk Road." He also stressed the necessity of enhancing cooperation among media from different countries and highlighted their role in facilitating the exchange of development experiences and strengthening mutual understanding and closer ties among nations.
The forum serves as a vital platform for dialogue, exchange, and practical cooperation among media organizations and is hoped to be effective in strengthening friendships, expanding media partnerships, and sharing stories of cooperation along the "Silk Road."
In conclusion, Mr. Yu Shaoliang emphasized the need to strengthen partnerships among media from the participating countries in this initiative and reminded that the forum has become a vital platform for dialogue and practical cooperation that fosters mutual understanding, trust, and closer ties among nations.
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