From August 25 to 26, 2022, the 5th Forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation was held in Beijing, China in a combined online/offline mode. The forum was co-hosted by the National Radio and Television Administration of China, the People's Government of Beijing Municipality and the African Union of Broadcasting. More than 240 delegates from the government departments, media institutions, audio-video enterprises, diplomatic missions from China and 42 African countries, the African Union Commission and the African Union of Broadcasting attended the forum. President Xi Jinping of China and President Macky Sall of Senegal sent congratulatory letters to this Forum, in which they spoke highly of the Forum s conducive role in advancing the dialogue and cooperation between Chinese and African media, promoting mutual learning between the civilizations, and deepening the China-Africa comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership. The letters will provide new impetus to China-Africa media Cooperation in the new era. YVES IRADUKUNDA, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of ICT and Innovation,was invited to the Forum. About the Forum, he said that it is honored to be a part of the 5th China-Africa Media Cooperation Forum. For the past decade, Rwanda, like other African countries, has benefited from unprecedented partnerships with the Chinese media fraternity, including infrastructure investments, TV penetration, capacity building, job creation, and access to cutting-edge content. And for promoting further communication between Rwanda and China, he mentioned:Rwanda was ranked 2nd in Africa for ease of doing business in the World Bank's Doing Business 2020 report. Rwanda's private-sector-driven economy makes it ideal for newcomers looking to establish a presence on the continent, as entry barriers are nearly non-existent. We hope to see Chinese companies invest more in infrastructure, such as local TV plants, innovative business models to reduce the cost of access to premium content, and conduct more research and development to find the right solutions for African markets, among other things. This year marks the 10 anniversary of the Forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation. In deep appreciation to look back upon the fruitful results, both sides have achieved over the past decade. Government departments of both sides have established regular effective communication channels to enhance understanding of each other's policies and ideas. Media organizations have been engaged in cooperation in news coverage and other co-productions to jointly tell stories of mutual friendship. Translated audio-video works have been embraced by the audience, bringing the hearts of the peoples closer. The Satellite TV Project for 10,000 African Villages and the Integrated Digital Switch-over Project have been acceleratory to the development of the broadcasting sector in Africa, and a benefit to the African people. China also carried out a series of training programs for African media professionals to share practical knowledge and strengthen personnel exchanges. Cooperations between the two sides are becoming more and more effective and expanding to greater depth and new areas, including new media and new technologies. Successful collaboration in the media field has become an integral part of the overall China-Africa cooperation, and has made vigorous contributions to the all-round development of China-Africa relations. The media on both sides have been upholding the spirit of friendly cooperation and working continuously to safeguard fairness and justice, telling stories about China-Africa cooperation in the new era and shouldering responsibilities to advance global development, promote common values of mankind and actively create an international public opinion atmosphere of cohesive development and cooperation. Chinese and African media will also promote innovation convergence and deepen cooperation in areas of digital technology and digital economy to strengthen exchanges, share opportunities and improve digital governance capabilities. The two-day event also featured an exhibition of “A Decade of Achievements: China-Africa Media Cooperation (2012-2022).” Themed “New Vision, New Development, and New Cooperation,” the Forum held sessions on media development policy, content cooperation and innovation as well as new technology application, and digital convergence. The Forum published a joint declaration that reviewed the decade of achievements of China-Africa media cooperation. In mapping the prospects and plans for future media development, it proposed five initiatives, including deepening cooperation and communication, supporting global development, telling stories of China-Africa friendship, promoting digital media development, and strengthening youth exchanges.
