The Second China-Central Asia News Agency Forum is taking place in Astana, Kazakhstan.
The event was organized by the Chinese Xinhua News Agency jointly with the Television and Radio Complex of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, The Caspian Post reports citing Kabar.
Representatives of leading media from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, China, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan are taking part in the forum.
The key topics of the forum are: deepening media cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road initiative, developing new forms of international communication, preserving cultural heritage, and implementing the Digital Silk Road concept.
At the forum, Arman Kyrykbayev, Assistant to the President of Kazakhstan, delivered a welcoming speech and read out a congratulatory message from the head of state Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. He expressed confidence that cooperation between media organizations contributes to strengthening relations between the countries and wished the forum participants productive work.
Fu Hua, Director General of Xinhua News Agency, emphasized that China and the Central Asian countries are not only close neighbors, but also reliable partners and sincere friends who have achieved significant results in matters of development and mutual support.
"We are ready to work with our colleagues from Central Asia to bring the media closer together, exchange information, conduct joint research and support constructive initiatives. As the Chinese proverb says: "When the people are united, even mountains move." And in Central Asia they say: "Where there is harmony, there is prosperity," he noted.
In his speech, Director of Kabar News Agency of Kyrgyzstan Mederbek Shermetaliev emphasized that cooperation in the media sector contributes to the rapprochement of peoples and plays an important role in strengthening universal values.
"In a rapidly changing world, efforts to develop partnerships and good-neighborly relations are becoming increasingly important. This year, Central Asia completed the delimitation of state borders, thereby strengthening friendship, economic cooperation and a common security space," he noted.
He also recalled that the leaders of the region's countries proclaimed Central Asia a region of eternal peace, which was a significant political achievement.
"By strengthening stability and achieving success, the region, together with its partners, contributes to the formation of the Greater Eurasian Partnership aimed at sustainable, peaceful and mutually beneficial development of the continent. In this context, the One Belt, One Road initiative is of particular importance," the head of the agency added.
Experts noted that China and the Central Asian countries have already begun working together to build a fair and balanced world order. More than 3,000 kilometers of common border between the countries is not just a line on the map, but a huge opportunity that must be used for the benefit of the peoples of the region.
"The media play a key role in shaping public opinion, overcoming stereotypes and strengthening mutual understanding between peoples. On behalf of the Kabar Agency, I would like to emphasize our readiness to cooperate in all areas - from professional exchange to the implementation of joint projects. I am convinced that with the active support of all parties, we will be able to create strong and effective mechanisms for interaction in the information sphere, which will also serve the cause of a fair and harmonious world," Shermetaliev summed up.
