On April 11, the China-ASEAN Media and Think Tank Forum was successfully held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, co-hosted by Xinhua News Agency (Xinhua), and the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama). The forum, themed "Strengthening China-ASEAN Cooperation," attracted approximately 260 representatives from more than 160 media organizations, think tanks, government departments, and businesses from China and ASEAN member countries.
The forum focused on three major topics: Civilizational Exchange, Maritime Silk Road Cooperation, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Development. It emphasized the important role of media and think tanks in strengthening traditional ties, deepening mutually beneficial cooperation, and promoting the establishment of a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future. All participants agreed that media and think tanks should serve as a bridge, telling the story of China-ASEAN cooperation and contributing wisdom and strength for regional and global peace, stability, and prosperity.
In his opening remarks, Lyu Yansong, Editor-in-Chief of Xinhua News Agency (Xinhua), pointed out that China and ASEAN are closely connected by geography, kinship, and culture, with a history of interaction that is a grand civilizational epic full of Eastern wisdom and Asian values. On the 34th anniversary of the establishment of China-ASEAN dialogue relations, Lyu emphasized that media and think tanks shoulder an important mission, that is, to tell the story of shared destiny and work together to build a peaceful, safe, prosperous, beautiful, and friendly "community of shared destiny."
Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof, in his speech, highlighted the critical role of media and think tanks in promoting civilizational exchanges, deepening Maritime Silk Road cooperation, and seizing the opportunities brought by the artificial intelligence revolution. He called for China and ASEAN to work together in a more open, inclusive, and trusting manner to build a closer, higher- quality, and mutually beneficial China-ASEAN community with a shared future.
Malaysian Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil emphasized that China and ASEAN collectively represent more than 2 billion people with rich linguistic, traditional, and cultural perspectives. He pointed out that cooperation between China and ASEAN in digital media is growing rapidly, covering joint news production, content sharing, and cross-border digital broadcasting. Malaysia is committed to support the media development initiatives, promote regional exchanges, and zoom into the potential of digital innovation, thereby injecting new vitality into regional development.
The forum also called for respecting cultural diversity and emphasized the importance of cultural exchange and building mutual understanding. Additionally, it acknowledged that while artificial intelligence brings new us with opportunities, it also poses challenges. Media and think tanks must embrace technological progress, promote the safe, controllable, and responsible development of AI, and contribute to creating an innovative, inclusive, and secure intelligent future.
Business Times - Malaysia
