Media Leaders Gather at the 2025 Forum to Enhance Belt and Road Collaboration

2025 Media Cooperation Forum Kicks Off in Kunming

The 2025 Media Cooperation Forum on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) officially began on September 16, 2025, in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China. This event brings together over 200 international representatives from 87 different countries, including various media outlets and organizations, to discuss the pivotal role of media in fostering cooperation and understanding among nations.

Significance of the Forum

The forum emphasizes the importance of collective efforts in promoting the BRI and acknowledging its achievements since its inception in 2013 by President Xi Jinping. Attendees celebrated the BRI's recognition as a global public good and a vital platform for international collaboration, highlighting its implications for economic growth and cultural exchange.

During the opening remarks, prominent speakers acknowledged recent initiatives such as the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), which seeks to present Chinese solutions for contemporary global governance challenges. These sentiments foster hope for a more equitable system that enables greater participation from diverse nations.

Pavel Negoitsa, director of Russia's Rossiyskaya Gazeta, underscored the fact that the initiative has received backing from over 100 countries, positioning it as a significant player on the international stage. He argued that the internet should serve as a powerful tool for sharing cultural values and promoting mutual benefit among nations.

Celebrating Cultural Exchange

The event also highlighted the multicultural nature of the forum. Ben Chacko, editor of the UK's Morning Star, noted its emphasis on peace and cooperative dialogue, while speakers from various BRI partner countries shared personal stories that illustrated the transformative impact of the initiative on their respective societies.

Hani Wafa, editor-in-chief of Al Riyadh Newspaper, argued that media's role has evolved into a critical platform for shaping public sentiment and supporting development policies. As initiatives like the BRI grow, responsible media coverage becomes essential, focusing on accuracy and highlighting their humanitarian and economic benefits for people in participant countries.

Pledging Collective Responsibility

Attendees committed to deepening collaboration between media entities, endorsing the Spirit of the Silk Road. This spirit embodies ideals of peace, inclusivity, and mutual learning between civilizations. Media representatives vowed to document the BRI's tangible outcomes and enhance cross-cultural dialogues through quality journalism, aiming to dismantle barriers and foster a shared future for humanity.

The forum, co-hosted by the People's Daily along with the Communist Party of China (CPC) Yunnan Provincial Committee and the People's Government of Yunnan Province, has a central theme: "Shared Media Responsibility for Exchanges and Mutual Learning among Civilizations." It features a range of activities, including sub-forums and the prestigious Silk Road Global News Awards.