Kunming – A ceremony was held on Monday to welcome participants to the 2025 Media Cooperation Forum on Belts and Roads in Kunming, Yunnan Province.
This year’s forum, hosted by People’s Daily along with the CPC Yunnan Provincial Committee and the Yunnan Provincial Government, will focus on the theme of “sharing media responsibility for exchanges between civilizations and mutual learning.”
Wang Yubo, deputy secretary of the CPC Yunnan State Commission and governor of Yunnan Province, addressed the forum, highlighted that President Xi Jinping has acknowledged his important role in advance of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). “The media plays an irreplaceable role in information dissemination, raising mutual trust, building consensus and building other aspects,” he said.
Chen Jianwen, editor-in-chief of People’s Daily, also spoke at the event. He emphasized that the forum would provide a platform for international media organizations to work together to share the story of the Silk Road, promote common prosperity, and strengthen cultural connections along the belt and roads. “Your keen observation, insightful narrative and persuasive visuals will welcome you to share the story of development, livelihood and friendship along the belt and roads with the world. May the vision of cooperation be more broadly resonate and deeper roots in the hearts of people all over the world,” he said.
Chen also exhibited Yunnan as China’s gateway to Southeast Asia, describing the state as a hub of cultural diversity and economic openness. He is similar between the thousand-year-old Tea Horse Road and the Modern Belt and Road Initiative, portraying the region as a meeting point between history and modern development. He encouraged participants to witness the dynamic modernization of Yunnan and the unique cultural attraction that underpins China’s global involvement.
The annual forum, hosted by People’s Daily, has been a cornerstone event in the Chinese media landscape for over a decade. It serves as a high-level platform, bringing together policymakers, media experts, entrepreneurs and academics to discuss topics such as the role of media in a rapidly changing international environment, opportunities and challenges in the age of AI, and regional cooperation. In line with the Belt and Road Initiative, the forum promotes cross-cultural understanding, strengthens international media cooperation, and emphasizes BRI’s contribution to global development. Participants will be an important hub for sharing best practices and experiences, fostering the event dialogue and showing the positive impact of the belt and roads.