Beijing - China has vowed to remain “frank and sincere” as it seeks to increase media cooperation with Africa.
China’s State Administration of Press, Radio, Film and Television Minister, Cai Fuchao, said his country is more than ready to boost cooperation in the media sector with African countries, especially South Africa, in order to develop a healthy and friendly China-Africa relationship.
“South Africa is our strategic partner in the sense that we are both co-chairs of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and we want to make it clear that there are so many opportunities for the two countries to enter into cooperation in the media industry, with the view of boosting the development of China-Africa relations.
“We want to make it clear that we are committed to adhere to honest, frank and sincere principles in order to develop our media cooperation with African countries. We want our media houses to work with their African counterparts not only to broaden areas of cooperation, but most importantly to promote the strategic China-Africa media relations,” he said.
The Minister was speaking to South Africa’s Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) acting Director-General, Donald Liphoko, after addressing delegates from 44 African countries during the 3rd Forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation, which concluded on Wednesday in Beijing.
The Minister said China is willing to strengthen cooperation exchanges in radio, film and television with South Africa.
The State Administration of Press, Radio, Film and Television is in charge of China’s radio, television and film sector and it directly supervises China National Radio, China Radio International and China Central Television.
“We are ready to sign agreements in film, radio and television news cooperation with South Africa and of course with other African countries. We are ready to facilitate the signing of [an agreement] with the China Film Group Corporation, the China Broadcasting Science, the Broadcasting Design Institute, the Radio and Television Publishing House, the China Film Art Centre as well as the Information and Network Centre,” he said.
In response, Liphoko said South Africa is also ready to increase media cooperation with China.
“China is South Africa’s number one trading partner, so South Africa too is ready to further strengthen its vibrant strategic relationship with China by [cooperating] in the media space. Our continent has enjoyed a warm and cordial relationship with the People's Republic of China for many years.
“China's struggle for freedom inspired many African struggles for freedom against colonial oppression. As our collective energies have turned to economic justice and fair trade, deeper cooperation with China offers the prospect of the global rebalancing of the international trade and financial system to give expression to the aspirations of the developing world.”
The 3rd Forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation aims to deepen cooperation in the media sector and boost the development of China-Africa ties.
The forum was set up under the framework agreements of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in 2012. It is held every two years in either China or Africa. - SAnews.gov.za
