China Opens Belt and Road Media Forum With Calls for Greater Co-operation
The Media Co-operation Forum on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) opened today in Kunming, China, with more than 200 delegates from 78 countries in attendance. Organised by the state-run People’s Daily, the event is promoted as a platform to expand dialogue between media organisations.
Chinese officials urged participants to support the BRI, Beijing’s flagship infrastructure and investment programme. Zheng Jianbang, vice-chairman of the National People’s Congress, called on the media to “build bridges rather than barriers,” while Yunnan Party secretary Wang Ning cited the China-Laos railway as a key achievement.
The forum comes as China seeks to counter international criticism of the BRI, with Western governments warning of debt risks and geopolitical influence. Vice-Minister for Transport Li Yang pointed to new trade corridors such as the Trans-Caspian Express as evidence of regional benefits.
People’s Daily president Yu Shaoling said media partners should promote “people-to-people connectivity” and build trust around the initiative, which China frames as a driver of multilateral co-operation.
Editorial Staff
