Kunming – The 2025 Media Cooperation Forum and Road, which opened Tuesday in Kunming, Yunnan Province, has highlighted the global platform that promotes development, cooperation and promotes shared prosperity across the continent.
According to Chinese media, the forum attracted more than 200 representatives from 87 countries, including international and regional organizations.
The event provided a unique opportunity for dialogue among journalists, policymakers and experts, and reinforced the important role of the media in shaping a global understanding of development and international cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Yu Shaoliang, president of People’s Daily, gave a speech highlighting the importance of the media in moving forward with the BRI. “The Belt and Road Initiative Platform is important for multipolar development, humanitarian exchange and creating new opportunities for collaboration,” he said. Yu added that journalists should be responsible for strengthening relationships, promoting high-quality BRI infrastructure projects and reporting accurately the results of their development.
Participants emphasized that media organizations must act as both recorders and promoters of the Silk Road spirit, which support the principles of equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusivity among civilizations. They agreed that joint reporting initiatives across Yunnan and other regions of China will showcase the global impact of BRI and help promote mutual understanding among people around the world.
Transforming global development
Since its founding in 2013, BRI has grown into a global public good linking Eurasia, Africa, Latin America and more. Over 150 countries and 30 international organizations have participated in the initiative, making it a truly global platform for cooperation. BRI is designed around consultation, joint planning and shared interests, allowing partner countries to maximize, industrialize and modernize the value of their resources.
Forum experts pointed out that BRI represents a modern model of win-win cooperation. Unlike traditional aid, China shares technology, know-how and capital in ways that allow partner countries to increase the value of natural and human resources. This approach contrasts with the zero-sum framework, highlighting that mutual prosperity enhances global stability and peace.
GGI and BRI cooperation
Chinese Nationwide President Xi Jinping proposed a global governance initiative in Tianjin, northern China on September 1, 2025 (Photo: Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)
The forum was held against the backdrop of the Xi Jinping National Global Governance Initiative (GGI), proposed at the Shanghai Cooperation Agency and the Shanghai Cooperation Agency and Conference held in Tianjin on September 1, 2025.
With the launch of GGI, XI highlighted the need for comprehensive, collaborative, and high-quality international development, saying, “We need to continue to demolish walls, and we should not set them up. We need to seek integration. We need to advance high-quality belt and road cooperation and promote universally beneficial and comprehensive globalization.”
GGI reflects China’s broader diplomatic philosophy of building a more equitable global governance system while enhancing development cooperation. The speakers at the forum, in collaboration with GGI principles, highlighted how BRI provides practical tools for states to work together to overcome development bottlenecks and pursue sustainable growth without building dependencies.
China-Iran cooperation under BRI
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Iranian President Maud Pezeshkian at a conference in Beijing, the Chinese capital on September 2, 2025.
Before traveling to China, before attending the SCO summit in Tianjin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reaffirmed Tehran’s commitment to “serious and constructive cooperation” with China, particularly under the BRI framework. Without a doubt, Iran’s strategic location and active participation have become important partners in bridging regional ties and strengthening trade, Central Asia, the Middle East and more.
The joint projects between China and Iran under the BRI include infrastructure development, energy cooperation and logistics networks to strengthen the shared prosperity goals across Eurasia.
The role of media in shaping global dialogue
Jointly held by People’s Daily, CPC Yunnan Provincial Committee and the People’s Government of Yunnan Province, the 2025 Media Cooperation Forum on Belts and Roads reinforced the pivotal role of media in the advancement of BRI. By fostering dialogue, showing outcomes and promoting quality collaboration, the forum demonstrated how the initiative acts as a global platform for growth, cultural exchange and lasting peace. With strengthening partnerships, comprehensive policies and shared commitments in countries such as Iran, BRI illustrates a future-looking model of cooperation that is beneficial to both sides in the 21st century.