By Dennis Peprah, GNA Special Correspondent in Beijing
Beijing, (China), June 26, GNA – The Chinese government has affirmed her commitment to support the African media to showcase the continent to the world in a more positive way to attract investments and push the development of Africa.
Mr NIE Chenxi, the Minister of National Radio and Television Administration of China, said China would train more than 1,000 African Journalists on technology services, content creation, as well as digitized and contemporary ways of news gathering and reporting.
This would position the media personnel well to report on the continent positively and uplift the image of Africa.
Mr Chenxi who is also the Deputy Head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China gave the assurance when he addressed the opening session of the fourth forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation underway in Beijing, China’s capital.
Journalists, media practitioners, and government officials from China and Africa are attending the two-day forum.
It is being organized by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television and supported by the China’s Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Commerce as well as the State Council Information Office of the People’s Republic of China.
The National Radio and Television Administration of China, People’s Government of Beijing Huarou District, Star Times Group and Huaxia Film Distribution Company Limited supported the forum.
Mr Chenxi said China intends to distribute 10,000 digital televisions to hard to reach villages in Africa, highlight equality and develop and strengthen media cooperation to enhance the welfare of the African people.
He expressed regret that industrial revolution had brought several challenges to Africa and as the world goes through new era of technological advancement, there was the need for Africa and China to deepen the win-win cooperation that would help address the needs of Africa and better the lot of China.
« We must promote people to people bound, build new areas of cooperation and put more focus on strengthening and deepening media cooperation for mutual benefit, » Mr Chenxi stated.
He pointed out that China and Africa were communities with shared future and there was the need for the two to implement a comprehensive strategic partnership through solid media relations that would enhance their foreign relations for common development.
Ms Dora Siliya, the Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services of Zambia, commended the Government of the People of China, saying China’s cooperation with Africa remained unprecedented.
She explained that as developing countries, there was the need for Africa and China to deepen cooperation and, and aside media partnership explore new areas that could be nurtured and tapped to facilitate the development of both parties.
Ms Siliya said new areas of cooperation would help create new opportunities and investments between China and Africa that would not only enhance the Sino-African relations, but also position the two parties at a higher level across the globe.
Mr Gr’egoire Ndajaka, the Chief Executive Officer of African Union of Broadcasting, said China’s attempt to sharpen the future direction of Africa to meet the demands of the African people was highly recommendable.
« China and Africa have common development task and we must join hands and use our media to highlight our common needs and development, » he added.
Mr Fan Weiping, China’s Vice Minister of National Radio and Television Administration emphasised the importance for China and Africa to use their media to identify, promote and deepen cultural relations and as well as enhance tourism, trade and commerce.
GNA
DSA
26 June 18
