Wong Chun Wai, chairman of Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), delivers a speech at the China-ASEAN Media and Think Tank Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 11, 2025. Representatives of major media and think tanks from China and the 10 countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathered in the Malaysian capital here on Friday for the China-ASEAN Media and Think Tank Forum to discuss and promote common development. Under the theme "Strengthening ASEAN-China Cooperation," participants called for joint efforts to tell the success stories of cooperation between China and ASEAN. (Xinhua/Cheng Yiheng)

(KPL) Around 260 representatives from over 160 media organizations, think tanks, government agencies, and enterprises from ASEAN countries and China convened in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Friday for the China-ASEAN Media and Think Tank Forum to strengthen cooperation and promote shared development.

Held under the theme "Strengthening ASEAN-China Cooperation," the forum provided a platform for dialogue on enhancing collaboration, harnessing technological advances, and addressing new regional and global challenges.

Participants emphasized the essential role of media and think tanks in supporting ASEAN-China relations and fostering mutual understanding.

Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof, in his opening address, reaffirmed his country's commitment to a cohesive ASEAN-China partnership, stating that such cooperation contributes significantly to regional stability and global economic resilience.

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof delivers a speech at the China-ASEAN Media and Think Tank Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 11, 2025. Representatives of major media and think tanks from China and the 10 countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathered in the Malaysian capital here on Friday for the China-ASEAN Media and Think Tank Forum to discuss and promote common development.

He praised the forum as an invaluable space for dialogue, noting that media and think tanks play a pivotal role in bridging perspectives, informing policymaking, and promoting harmony amid today’s complex global environment.

Echoing this sentiment, Lyu Yansong, editor-in-chief of Xinhua News Agency, quoted Chinese President Xi Jinping in his keynote remarks, saying, “Good neighbors wish each other well.” Lyu emphasized that the people of China and ASEAN share a collective aspiration for unity and progress.

"China and ASEAN countries are vital forces in the Global South," Lyu noted. “Our relationship has evolved beyond the bilateral level, now exerting a broader impact on the region and the world.” He called on media and think tanks to contribute to building a peaceful, prosperous, and amicable ASEAN-China community with a shared future.

Wong Chun Wai, chairman of Malaysia’s national news agency Bernama, highlighted the importance of civilizational exchanges between ASEAN and China, noting that both regions’ rich cultures can serve as a model for unity and cooperation among Global South countries. He also emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration in areas such as the use of artificial intelligence in journalism.

The Xinhua Institute, a think tank affiliated with Xinhua News Agency, presented a report titled “RCEP and the Vision of the Maritime Silk Road: New Frontiers for China-ASEAN Cooperation,” underscoring the growing regional significance of economic and infrastructural collaboration.

Ms. Sivanxay Siphankham, Deputy Director General of the Lao News Agencydelivers a speech at the China-ASEAN Media and Think Tank Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 11, 2025.

Speaking at the forum, Ms. Sivanxay Siphankham, Deputy Director General of the Lao News Agency, said the sub-themes of the forum are not only timely but essential for advancing ASEAN’s media landscape. They underscore China’s unwavering support for the media’s role in deepening ASEAN-China relations and fortifying comprehensive strategic partnership between the two regions.

“I am confident that our discussions on key sub-themes including Promoting Civilizational Exchange, Boosting Maritime Silk Road Cooperation, and Harnessing the AI Revolution will shape a shared vision for ASEAN and China, refine strategies for high-quality media development, and amplify our collective voice on the global stage,” said Ms. Sivanxay.

The forum concluded with calls for continued partnership between ASEAN and China in areas ranging from digital innovation to cultural exchange, aiming to build a more integrated and resilient regional community.

KPL