Kunming: The Editor-in-Chief of the People’s Daily Newspaper, Chen Jianwen, reaffirmed that the media plays a key role in international cooperation and enhancement of understanding among different civilizations and cultures.
He said that the Belt and Road Initiative has become a key platform for achievement of common development and building a community with a shared future for humanity.
These statements are part of Chen Jianwen’s speech at the opening of the 2025 Belt and Road Media Cooperation Forum, hosted by Kunming, the capital of southwest China’s Yunnan Province.
The forum was attended by prominent political and media figures from around the world.
Chen began his remarks by welcoming the Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China and leaders from the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the Propaganda Department, the Ministry of Transport, Xinhua News Agency, and the Central Radio and Television Corporation, along with representatives of international media from Russia, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Ghana, Peru, Thailand, South Africa, and Belarus, as well as experts, academics, and officials from leading energy, infrastructure, and transportation companies.
Chen said: “We are pleased to meet today in Kunming, China’s gateway to the Southern Silk Road, to exchange views and discuss the role of media in supporting common development and enhancing understanding between nations.”
Jianwen praised the achievements made since the Belt and Road Initiative was launched in 2013 by President Xi Jinping, explaining that the initiative has contributed to connecting continents through major projects such as freight trains between China and Europe and the China-Laos railway, and has opened new corridors for trade and logistics integration in the West and South.
It has also implemented humanitarian initiatives such as health, education, and technology transfer projects that have transformed the lives of millions of people.
He added that the Belt and Road Initiative has become a path to peace, prosperity, openness, and innovation, and is today the greatest common denominator for global development interests.
Chen emphasised that the media is not merely a transmitter of events, but rather a bridge for communication between civilizations.
He called on media institutions to intensify responsible, professional coverage of the initiatives, highlight the impact of international cooperation on local development in participating countries, and promote training programmes and joint reporting among media outlets along the Belt and Road project. He said, “We must be pioneers of development and partners in civilizational dialogue, and work to build global public opinion that supports cooperation and openness.”
Chen concluded his remarks by emphasising that this year’s forum represents a new starting point for broader media cooperation, deeper dialogue, and more influential partnerships in promoting shared development.
He said, “The Belt and Road Initiative originated in China, but its fruits and opportunities benefit the entire world. Let us seize this opportunity to deepen media cooperation, formulate a shared narrative for development, and build a positive media environment that aligns with the aspirations for a shared and prosperous future.”
In his closing remarks, Chen wished the forum’s activities all success, calling on participants to exchange expertise and forge new horizons for international media cooperation.