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Activity Category: Media Engagement Activity

Xi Pens Article in Greek Newspaper Before Visit

Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) published a signed article titled “Let the Wisdom of Ancient Civilizations Illuminate the Future” (讓古老文明的智慧照鑑未來) in Greece’s Kathimerini newspaper on November 10, 2019. The piece appeared ahead of his three-day state visit to Greece at the invitation of President Prokopis Pavlopoulos (Προκόπης Παυλόπουλος). Xi drew parallels between ancient Chinese and Greek philosophy, emphasizing their shared “human-centered” (以民為本) values while promoting Belt and Road (一帶一路) cooperation. He claimed Piraeus had been transformed into the “Mediterranean’s largest port” through a bilateral partnership with Chinese state-owned COSCO Shipping (中遠海運), though independent analysis shows it ranks as the largest in the eastern Mediterranean and fourth-largest in Europe.

China Propaganda Chief Meets Mexican Presidential Press Office in Beijing

On September 19, 2012, Liu Yunshan (劉雲山), then Chinese Communist Party Politburo member and head of the Central Propaganda Department (中央宣傳部部長), met with the director of Mexico’s Presidential Press Office at the Great Hall of the People (人民大會堂) in Beijing. According to the official Chinese government report, Liu stated that China-Mexico relations had maintained “good development momentum” (良好發展勢頭) over 40 years of diplomatic relations and expressed desire to “deepen strategic partnership” (深入發展戰略伙伴關係). The Chinese report stated that Liu called for strengthened news media exchanges, particularly in “new media” (新媒體), to allegedly “deepen political mutual trust” (深化政治互信). The Mexican official reportedly agreed that cooperation serves “common interests” (共同利益) and expressed interest in establishing “regular exchange mechanisms” (經常性的交流機制). The meeting included Wang Chen (王晨), director of the State Council Information Office (國務院新聞辦公室), China’s foreign propaganda agency.

Chinese Ambassador Attends Media Forum on PRC Anniversary

On September 18, 2019, the Chinese Embassy in Mexico, under Ambassador Zhu Qingqiao (祝青橋), co-hosted a media forum with the Latin American branch of China Today (今日中國) and the Mexican Senate to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. The event, titled “China-Mexico and China-Latin America Relations in the New Era” (新時代的中墨、中拉關係), gathered over 100 participants including Mexican Senate committee chairs, Foreign Ministry officials, and media executives from both countries. Ambassador Zhu highlighted China’s transformation over 70 years from a “poor agricultural nation” to the world’s second-largest economy and from an “isolated and conservative country” to an active participant in global governance, according to the Chinese Embassy. Mexican officials praised China’s development achievements and emphasized shared interests as developing nations, expressing Mexico’s commitment to prioritizing relations with China and participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (一帶一路). The forum featured discussions on objective bilateral reporting and strengthening media cooperation, with live broadcasts on Mexican Parliament TV and China Today‘s Spanish Facebook account.

2018 China-Latin America Media Forum

The 2018 China-Latin America Media Forum took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina on November 19, 2018, focusing on “Deepening Media Cooperation to Help Build a China-Latin America Community with a Shared Future,” according to Xinhua News Agency. Representatives discussed media’s role in bilateral cooperation and new media platforms. Xinhua reported that a Brazilian representative from a financial information group claimed that media plays an “incomparable role” in cooperation, allowing audiences to receive “first-hand information” rather than filtered news from Europe and the United States, language that closely mirrors Chinese state media talking points about Western media bias—as reported by Xinhua. Alejandro Ramos Esquivel (亞歷杭德羅·拉莫斯·埃斯基維爾), who served as Notimex’s Director-General from 2013-2018, reportedly stated the forum brought together diverse media organizations to analyze cooperation trends, predicting collaboration would “flourish” as China’s “Belt and Road Initiative” gains influence. The event highlighted opportunities in website development and capacity building.

Xinhua President Meets Mexican News Agency Head

Cai Mingzhao (蔡名照), President of Xinhua News Agency, met with Alejandro Ramos Esquivel, Director General of Mexico’s state news agency Notimex, in Beijing on September 22, 2015. During the meeting, Cai stated that despite geographical distance, China and Mexico share “long-standing friendship” (源远流长). Emphasizing media as a tool of bilateral exchange, Cai described news media as bearing “an important mission in promoting friendly exchanges between the two countries” (增进两国之间友好交往的重要使命). Cai stated that Xinhua prioritizes reporting on Mexico and Latin America, and expressed desire to strengthen cooperation with Notimex across various fields, building on what he described as “over 30 years of close collaboration” (30多年密切合作). Ramos said Xinhua’s work in new media left a “deep impression” (留下深刻印象) and stated his agency “wishes to further strengthen cooperation” (愿进一步加强合作) in promoting national images and addressing technological challenges.

China and South Africa Hold New Media Roundtable

On November 23, 2018, government officials and media representatives from China and South Africa met in Pretoria for a South Africa-China New Media Roundtable (中國-南非新媒體圓桌會議). Co-hosted by China’s Cyberspace Administration (國家互聯網信息辦公室), an agency under the CCP’s Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission that serves as both a state and party institution, and South Africa’s Information Department, the event gathered delegates from both countries’ government, business, media, and academic sectors. Notable attendees included Gao Xiang (高翔), Deputy Director of China’s Cyberspace Administration who later became president of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and Cedric Frolick, House Chairperson for Committees, Oversight and ICT in South Africa’s National Assembly. Gao Xiang outlined China’s internet governance approach and offered three proposals for media cooperation, while South African Information Department Director-General Mashilo Boloka expressed interest in Chinese network security expertise and stated that “South Africa needs to learn from China’s knowledge and experience in network governance, network regulations, and network technology.” The meeting concluded with a memorandum signing between People’s Daily Online (人民網股份有限公司) and the South Africa-China Cultural and Tourism Investment Trade Promotion Center (南中文化和旅遊投資貿易促進中心).

CMG Signs Cooperation MOU with Thailand TV5

On October 18, 2023, China Media Group (CMG) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Thailand’s Public Relations Department (民众联络厅) during Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s attendance at the third Belt and Road International Cooperation Summit Forum in Beijing. CMG President Shen Haixiong (慎海雄), who serves as vice minister of the Publicity Department of the Chinese Communist Party, and Thai Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office Pongphet Chunlayadej (庞珮·春拉晔) formalized the partnership to enhance media collaboration between the two organizations. Thailand’s Public Relations Department, which operates under the supervision of the Prime Minister’s Office and oversees multiple official media outlets, including the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand, represents a key governmental communications authority. The agreement establishes mechanisms for regular cooperation, news reporting collaboration, personnel exchanges and training, and media technology sharing to “endow ‘Thailand-China Family’ with new era significance,” according to the announcement, marking an expansion of China’s media cooperation with ASEAN partners under the Belt and Road Initiative (一带一路).

CMG Opens Bureau in Nauru

On January 24, 2024, China Media Group (中央廣播電視總台) inaugurated its 192nd overseas bureau in Nauru, coinciding with the restoration of diplomatic ties between the two countries. The ceremony at the Nauru Presidential Office was attended by Nauru’s Media Minister Shadlog Bernicke (沙德羅德·貝尼克), who reportedly “welcomed” the Chinese media presence. CMG and Nauru’s Media Department (瑙魯媒體部) signed a “cooperation memorandum” that Chinese officials claimed would “promote mutual trust” and “create a new situation for media cooperation.” According to Chinese state media, this marks the “first media cooperation agreement” since China and Nauru resumed diplomatic relations on January 24, following Nauru’s decision to cut ties with Taiwan just days after Taiwan’s presidential election.

China and Nigeria Advance Media Cooperation Agreement

On March 6, 2025, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria Yu Dunhai (于敦海) met with Nigeria’s Information and National Orientation Minister Mohammed Idris in Abuja. Ambassador Yu stated that during the China-Africa Cooperation Forum (FOCAC) Beijing Summit in 2024, President Xi Jinping and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu jointly announced the elevation of China-Nigeria relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership. Yu emphasized China’s commitment to implementing agreements from the summit, particularly the television, broadcasting, and news media cooperation memorandum signed during the September 2024 meetings. Minister Idris, who serves as publisher of Blueprint newspaper and chairman of WE FM, expressed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening media cooperation with China and implementing the bilateral agreements signed by both presidents.