SHENYANG, China (Bernama): China and Asean aim to accelerate the building of a closer regional information coordination network through deeper cooperation in media and digital intelligence, while advancing digital technologies, content innovation, and joint platform development to promote greater integration of regional economies and people-to-people exchanges.
With the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and digital platforms, China believes that both sides should further strengthen collaboration, co-create content, and enhance people-to-people exchanges to consolidate the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) and inject new momentum into regional economic development.
China International Communications Group (CICG) President Chang Bo said that the Plan of Action (POA) to implement the ASEAN-China CSP (2026-2030) and the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area 3.0 (ACFTA 3.0) cooperation framework have, for the first time since last year, incorporated the digital economy into their agendas, creating significant opportunities for media and digital intelligence cooperation.
"China’s internet user base has reached 1.125 billion, while ASEAN also has more than 480 million active internet users. Both sides have enormous growth potential in their digital markets and enjoy broad prospects for cooperation in areas such as digital technology, platform ecosystems, and content innovation,” he said recently in his speech at the opening ceremony of the 2026 ASEAN-China Media Cooperation Forum.
Themed "Media Convergence for Shared Growth: Opening a New Chapter in ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” the forum was attended by around 150 representatives from government agencies, media organisations, think tanks, companies, and international organisations from China and ASEAN member states.
Chang Bo also said that in the face of a complex and rapidly changing world, China and ASEAN media should uphold openness and cooperation, strengthen mutual trust, and build consensus through objective and rational reporting and narratives.
He added that they should serve the overall development goals, safeguard the safety and stability of global industrial and supply chains, and foster a favourable public opinion environment for shared development.
Meanwhile, ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) Director of Information and Public Relations Division Napasorn Bhuvaborirak said the media plays an indispensable role in deepening the ASEAN-China CSP, acting as a powerful anchor that consolidates political mutual trust, facilitates pragmatic trade, and deepens cultural exchanges.
She urged the media from both sides to seize the opportunities presented by digital development. The media, she said, should actively utilise new technologies such as AI, big data, short videos, and live streaming, and deepen content creation, platform co-construction, and industrial synergy.
She also opined that the media should leverage their role as bridges and links to strengthen people-to-people exchanges, including by promoting cultural heritage, youth exchanges, and people’s livelihood stories.
"By innovating communication methods and enriching media vehicles, we can promote mutual understanding and ensure that the torch of ASEAN-China friendship is passed down from generation to generation.”
In addition to the main forum, two roundtable discussions were also held at the event, titled "Social Responsibility and the Media’s Mission in Our Time” and "Innovative Practice and Diverse Development in the Digital Era,” respectively.
Two other programmes, namely the ASEAN-China Social Media Content Creators Programme and the 2026 ASEAN-China Youth Cultural Heritage Tour Series, were also launched at the event.
Launched in 2018 and jointly organised by the CICG and the ACC, the ASEAN-China Media Cooperation Forum has become an annual platform for media exchange between ASEAN and China.
-- BERNAMA
