By Yawar Abbas
KUNMING, China, Sept 18: More than 120 media professionals from over 40 countries and regions convened in Kunming, capital of southwest China’s Yunnan Province, for the 2025 Media Cooperation Dialogue on the Belt and Road, underscoring the growing role of journalism, culture, and digital creativity in promoting people-to-people connectivity under the Belt and Road framework.
The dialogue, held as part of the 2025 Media Cooperation Forum on the Belt and Road, focused on enhancing cross-border media collaboration and presenting a more dynamic, people-centered narrative of China and Belt and Road cooperation. This year’s discussions revolved around three core themes: Media Collaboration for High-Quality Belt and Road Cooperation, Dynamic China and the Belt and Road Initiative, and Creative Short Videos and Cross-Cultural Resonance.
Participants emphasized that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) extends beyond infrastructure development to cultural exchange and mutual understanding among nations.
Yusif Sharifzade, Head of the International Relations Department at Xalq LLC in Azerbaijan, said stories reflecting the shared interests of humanity have the power to resonate with global audiences. “The Belt and Road Initiative is not only about roads, ports, and railways; it is about connecting people,” he noted. He added that cooperation could span diverse areas, from co-producing films to sharing traditional cuisine. “This process helps build bridges of understanding among nations,” he said.
From Pakistan, Rao Raheem, News Editor at The Express Tribune, highlighted China’s cultural vitality alongside its economic dynamism. Recalling his reporting on China’s gaming industry last year, he said the global attention it received reflected deeper cultural confidence. “On the surface, it’s just a video game,” he remarked, “but at a deeper level, it shows how China’s cultural industry draws on its own heritage and classic myths, integrates cutting-edge technology, and reinterprets them for audiences worldwide—without seeking external validation.”
Catherine Gulua, Founder, Director, and Editor of Media Center MTAVARI in Georgia, said international audiences are eager to see the everyday lives of ordinary Chinese citizens. She noted that her videos on cuisine and development across Chinese provinces have attracted wide attention. “It’s unimaginable that provinces are so developed here,” she said, calling Yunnan Province a prime example. She highlighted the region’s ethnic diversity, social harmony, lush greenery, and rich natural scenery as powerful elements of China’s story.
Gulua added that China remains open to the world and stands as a vivid example of innovation, development, and new technologies in which all countries can participate.
During the dialogue, organizers unveiled the Short Video Sharing Program along with promotional videos titled “A Shared Future” and “Inside China 4: Where Terraces Meet Tomorrow — Azheke’s Transformation”, aimed at encouraging collaborative content creation and cross-cultural resonance through digital storytelling.
The dialogue session formed a key part of the broader forum co-hosted by People’s Daily, the Communist Party of China Yunnan Provincial Committee, and the People’s Government of Yunnan Province. The forum reflects China’s continued efforts to deepen international media exchanges and promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation through shared narratives, innovation, and cultural dialogue.