The 12th Global Media Forum: Enhancing Collaboration and Voices from the Global South

The 12th Global Media Forum (VMF)

The 12th Global Media Forum (VMF) commenced on December 6, 2024, in Quanzhou, Fujian Province, China. This event gathered approximately 200 representatives from 87 media organizations across more than 60 countries. Known for its historic significance as a trading port and a UNESCO World Heritage site, Quanzhou served as an ideal backdrop for such an essential gathering.

Organized by the China Media Group (CMG) and specifically by CCTV Video News Agency (CCTV+), this year’s forum revolved around the theme "Intelligence Without Borders, Vision Beyond Horizon—The Role of Media in Communication and Cultural Exchange." It put a spotlight on the application and management of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in media. By fostering a new exchange platform driven by intelligent communications, the forum sought to pave the way for a promising future for the digital civilizations of the Global South.

Among the notable outcomes was the announcement of a Joint Initiative for Media Dialogue and Cooperation within the Global South, unveiled by CMG President Shen Haixiong along with other distinguished guests. This initiative aims to create an ideological communication system that empowers media voices from the Global South while promoting knowledge enrichment and mutual exchanges to ensure the collective prosperity of these civilizations.

The forum further emphasized cultural exchange efforts, including the release of a global promotional video celebrating the 2025 Spring Festival Gala organized by CMG. This gala, a long-standing hallmark of Lunar New Year celebrations since 1983, is recognized as one of the most popular television programs worldwide and is viewed as an iconic platform for promoting Chinese culture abroad.

Alongside this, four high-quality artistic and documentary films were showcased to provide audiences with deeper insights into the everyday life of the Chinese people, highlighting the nation's rich history, environmental protection efforts, and advancements in space exploration. CMG also announced plans for continued initiatives aimed at promoting films and television shows in Central Asia, Europe, and North and South America in 2025, thus providing a panoramic view of China to the global audience.

Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, CMG launched the