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Activity Category: Media Engagement Activity

BNR and CMG Sign a Cooperation Agreement

On June 4, 2025, the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) and the China Media Group (中央廣播電視總台) signed a cooperation agreement in Beijing. According to BRN, the deal encompasses the exchange of news, music, and digital media content, as well as radio programs and information in the fields of culture and tourism, and the joint implementation of media projects — though the announcement made no mention of what this would entail. The China Media Group operates more than 40 television channels and 17 radio frequency bands, and broadcasts in several languages, including Bulgarian.

House of Chinese-Bulgarian Journalists Opens in Bulgaria

On June 29, 2023, the Union of Bulgarian Journalists and the All-China Journalists Association (中華全國新聞工作者協會), China’s state-led professional body for working journalists, signed a memorandum establishing the “House of Chinese-Bulgarian Journalists” in Sofia. The agreement was signed by the executive secretary of the ACJA and the president of the Union of Bulgarian Journalists. The Chinese ambassador to Bulgaria, who was also identified as the Special Representative for China-CEEC Cooperation, attended the signing ceremony. Representatives from Xinhua News Agency (新華社), People’s Daily (人民日報), and China Media Group (中央廣播電視總台) participated in the event. The platform, described as enabling “seminars, training programs and mutual visits,” builds on the Union of Bulgarian Journalists’ existing practice of organizing annual trips and study visits to China for its members.

Seventh China-Arab States Broadcasting and Television Cooperation Forum

The 7th China-Arab States Broadcasting and Television Cooperation Forum was held in Chongqing from November 4 to 6, 2025. The event, co-hosted by China’s National Radio and Television Administration (中國國家廣播電視總局), or NRTA, the People’s Government of Chongqing Municipality (重慶市人民政府), the Arab League Secretariat, and the Arab States Broadcasting Union, brought together representatives from China and Arab nations, including officials from Palestine’s Broadcasting Authority, Egypt’s Supreme Council for Media Regulation (SCMR), and Mauritania’s High Authority for Press and Audiovisual (Haute Autorité de la Presse et de l’Audiovisuel en Mauritanie). Participants issued a joint declaration on cooperation in news reporting, content creation, technological innovation, and personnel exchanges, while announcing over 50 cooperation outcomes. The forum represents China’s ongoing efforts to strengthen media partnerships with Arab states, dating back to the forum’s inception in 2011.

China Gives Journalists Tour of Xinjiang Exhibition During China-Central Asia Forum

On November 5, 2025, delegates including scores of unnamed journalists from Central Asia attended the 12th China-Central Asia Cooperation Forum in Xinjiang, where they were taken on a tour of an exhibition commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Among the participants was Jawad Ali (جواد علي) (乔一), a correspondent for Al Mayadeen TV in Lebanon, who reported from the event expressing interest in covering more Xinjiang news. This represents a typical example of China’s external propaganda strategy of inviting foreign journalists on state-organized, all-expenses-paid visits to Xinjiang—a region facing significant international scrutiny over human rights issues. These carefully curated press tours focus on issues Beijing regards as core national interests, aiming to generate favorable international coverage. Footage of the tour is available here.

Fourth China-Germany Media Dialogue Held in Beijing

On December 16, 2014, China and Germany held the Fourth China-Germany Media Dialogue in Beijing, bringing together nearly 40 representatives including officials, diplomats, and media professionals. Cai Mingzhao (蔡名照), director of China’s State Council Information Office (SCIO), which is the same office as the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Propaganda Department, highlighted positive results from media cooperation including regular dialogue, joint interviews, and joint program production. He called for enhanced communication in journalism, technology, and management, particularly exploring convergence between traditional and emerging media. German Foreign Ministry State Secretary Stephan Steinlein emphasized China’s increasingly important global role and stated that globalization requires deepened mutual understanding, especially in media. Participants discussed pragmatic cooperation, social media development, and media education.

Xi Jinping Article Published in Senegal Media

On July 20, 2018, Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) published a signed article titled “China and Senegal Stand United” in Senegal’s Le Soleil newspaper ahead of his state visit, promoting Belt and Road Initiative cooperation and deeper China-Africa ties. The piece emphasized shared development goals, infrastructure partnerships, and mutual support on international issues, while invoking “historical friendship” dating back to the diplomatic relations established in 1971, although those ties were suspended from 1996 to 2005 when Senegal recognized Taiwan. During Xi’s visit, Senegal became the first West African country to join China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Xi Jinping Op-Ed Runs in Senegalese Media

On May 7, 2025, Chinese President Xi Jinping published a signed article in Senegal’s Le Soleil newspaper ahead of his state visit to Russia for the 80th anniversary of the Great Patriotic War, the term Russia uses for World War II. Originally published by Xinhua, the piece called on the international community to preserve a “correct view” of World War II history and safeguard the post-war international order. Xi emphasized China and the Soviet Union’s “decisive contributions” to defeating fascism, defended the UN-centered international system, and advocated for “genuine multilateralism” based on dialogue rather than confrontation. The article warned that any attempt to “distort” wartime history or “tarnish” China’s contributions was “doomed to failure.”

Fifth China-Germany Media Dialogue Held in Berlin

On November 26, 2015, China and Germany held the Fifth China-Germany Media Dialogue in Berlin, co-hosted by China’s State Council Information Office (SCIO) and the German Federal Foreign Office. Senior Chinese propaganda official Jing Junhai (景俊海), deputy head of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Propaganda Department, which is the same office as the SCIO, urged German media to provide “comprehensive and objective” coverage of China, claiming this would reduce Germany’s “reporting deficit” and corresponding “cognitive deficit” about China. Jing called for media cooperation based on “equality, mutual trust, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation,” positioning the dialogue as supporting the China-Germany comprehensive strategic partnership. German State Secretary Steinlein emphasized building a platform for media exchange. The annual dialogue, established in 2011 as an intergovernmental media exchange mechanism, alternates between the two countries.

CMG Donates Media Equipment to Antigua Broadcasting Service

On May 29, 2024, the China Media Group (中央廣播電視總台) donated digital video cameras and broadcasting equipment to the Antigua Broadcasting Service (ABS), the state-controlled broadcaster of Antigua and Barbuda. The formal handover ceremony in Saint John’s was attended by Antigua’s ministers and the Chinese Ambassador. The Ambassador said the donation would “greatly promote media cooperation between the two countries” and improve reporting capabilities — employing a standard CCP foreign relations frame that emphasizes bilateral “cooperation” as a vehicle for deepening ties and influence. The donation, however, raised concerns over possible Chinese manipulation.