In a bid to promote greater understanding among media professionals and strengthen links between media organisations across countries, the 2026 Media Cooperation Forum on Belt and Road is being held here in Fuzhou, Fujian, southeastern Province of China, from November 3 to 4.
Hosted by People’s Daily, the official newspaper of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and one of the most influential newspapers in China, the forum has grown into a major annual gathering of media professionals over the past decade.
The forum was initiated with the aim of promoting media cooperation and building professional and institutional connections. Over the years, it has developed into a platform bringing together policymakers, media practitioners, entrepreneurs and scholars to exchange views on issues of common interest.
Themed “Pursuing Common Understandings and Aspirations: a Decade of Belt and Road Media Cooperation”, this year’s forum will hold interactive discussions on the role of media in a rapidly changing international environment, opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence, regional collaboration and global communication.
Media leaders and decision-makers from different countries are expected to take part in the discussions, sharing their experiences and exploring new areas of cooperation at a time when technological changes and a changing international landscape are reshaping the media sector.
The forum is closely linked with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013 to promote economic cooperation and connectivity among countries along the ancient Silk Road. The initiative has also encouraged cultural and civilizational exchanges and greater people-to-people contact.
The media forum provides an opportunity for participating organisations to share experiences and highlight practices related to Belt and Road cooperation, while discussing the initiative’s contribution to connectivity, development and exchanges among peoples.
An important aspect of the forum has been its emphasis on the role of media in documenting developments under the Belt and Road framework and helping audiences better understand cooperation among countries. It has also encouraged media organisations to promote mutual learning among civilizations, bridge differences through quality reporting and strengthen communication among peoples.
The 2025 Media Cooperation Forum on Belt and Road, held in Kunming, capital of southwest China’s Yunnan Province, brought together more than 200 representatives from 165 media outlets and organisations from 87 countries, as well as international and regional organisations.
The 2026 gathering will also feature week-long media workshops in China. Following the forum, Chinese and international media representatives will work together on reporting and field visits in Fuzhou and other parts of Fujian Province.
This scribe has had the opportunity to attend the previous two editions of the forum, held in Chengdu and Kunming.
The forum has evolved into a useful platform for highlighting the role of media in forging greater equity, encouraging mutual learning among civilizations and bringing people and societies closer through dialogue, exchange and a better understanding of one another.
Sharachchandra Bhandary
Executive Editor
National News Agency (RSS)
