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Activity Type: Media Cooperation Agreement

Guangxi Radio and Television Does Deal with RTHK

On September 18, 2025, the state-run Guangxi Radio and Television (廣西廣播電視台) and Hong Kong public broadcaster Radio Television Hong Kong (香港電台) signed a strategic memorandum of understanding regarding “program resources and talent exchange.” Held at the Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center (南寧國際會展中心) during the 22nd China-ASEAN Expo (中國—東盟博覽會), the deal aimed to “tell China’s story well” to ASEAN nations, according to state media reports. This move directly echoed official external propaganda policies of the Chinese Communist Party leadership. The signing was witnessed by the National Radio and Television Administration (國家廣播電視總局), an agency under the Central Propaganda Department. This partnership sought to bolster media synergy between Guangxi and the Greater Bay Area, leveraging regional advantages to enhance cross-border cooperation and drive high-quality media development across the Southeast Asian region.

CMG Signs Tourism Cooperation Deal with Canada

China Media Group (中央广播电视总台), the state-run media conglomerate directly under the Central Propaganda Department, signed a cooperation agreement with Destination Canada on January 15 during Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s official visit to China. CMG Director Shen Haixiong (慎海雄), who also serves as deputy head of the Central Propaganda Department, and Canadian Ambassador to China Jennifer May signed the memorandum of understanding in Beijing, with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Prime Minister Carney witnessing the ceremony. The agreement establishes institutional ties for collaboration on program production, project planning, and joint activities to promote what China refers to as “people-to-people diplomacy” (民间外交). Destination Canada is a wholly government-owned agency that markets Canada as a tourism destination. The signing occurred as part of a broader diplomatic reset covering economic, energy, security, and cultural cooperation.

CMG Signs Cooperation Agreement with Venezuelan Communication Ministry

On September 13, 2023, the China Media Group ( 中央廣播電視總台), or CMG, and Venezuela’s Ministry of Popular Power for Communication and Information (Minci) signed a memorandum of understanding in Beijing. The signing took place during Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s state visit to China and was witnessed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Maduro. The president of China Media Group and  Venezuela’s communication minister signed the agreement. According to Chinese state media, the agreement established mechanisms for cooperation in content exchange, program co-production, technical innovation, market development, and personnel exchanges, which related reports characterized as strengthening the China-Venezuela “all-weather strategic partnership” through media collaboration.

China’s NDA and Chongqing Government Sign Deal with Singapore Media Development Authority

China’s National Data Administration (国家数据局), the Chongqing Municipal Government (重庆市人民政府) and Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (资讯通信媒体发展局) signed a memorandum of understanding on December 15, 2025, to jointly build a digital Land and Sea Corridor (数字陆海新通道), deepening cooperation under the China-Singapore Strategic Connectivity Initiative. The agreement establishes collaboration in three key areas: digital connectivity and cross-border data flows within agreed regulatory frameworks; joint research and application of artificial intelligence, blockchain and big data technologies; and digital talent exchange through workshops, skills certification and training programs. The MOU marks an expansion of the Land and Sea Corridor from physical infrastructure to a dual-track model incorporating digital channels, with parties agreeing to establish regular cooperation mechanisms to advance implementation and inject digital momentum into regional trade, industrial upgrading and economic growth.

CMG launches Co-Productions with TV5MONDE

On October 24, 2024, the Chinese Communist Party-run China Media Group (CMG) signed several co-production deals for film and television projects with France. According to Chinese state media coverage, the deals marked the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. CMG President Shen Haixiong (沈海雄) emphasized in related remarks that the projects would “provide a stronger bridge” for the two nations’ peoples. During the ceremony, CMG signed a cooperation memorandum with French TV network TV5MONDE for a series of short films depicting historical relations between the two countries, titled “The Witnesses of 60 Years of History.” Attendees included the President of TV5MONDE, French documentary director Jacques Malaterre, who also collaborated with CCTV9 in 2024, and personnel from the Chinese Embassy in France.

AFP and Xinhua Sign Exchange MOU

On January 18, 2024, the Paris-based global news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP) and China’s official Xinhua News Agency signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Beijing. According to Xinhua, the two agencies agreed to jointly hold photo exhibitions in Beijing and Paris in 2024 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations. They also discussed coverage of the Paris 2024 Olympics. Xinhua characterized AFP as “one of the first Western news agencies to establish a friendly and cooperative relationship with Xinhua,” noting their first news exchange protocol in 1957. The agreement was signed at the sidelines of the 5th World Media Summit (第五屆世界媒體峰會) held in China’s southern Guangdong province, and was signed by Xinhua President Fu Hua (傅華) along with AFP CEO Fabrice Fries, a long-time corporate executive with no journalism and media background who has also served as the president of the European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA).  

China Media Group Signs Cooperation With AFP

On October 25, 2023, China Media Group (中央廣播電視總台) and Agence France-Presse (AFP) signed a cooperation agreement in Paris. The agreement aimed to “strengthen cooperation in new media, artificial intelligence and other aspects” by leveraging the 2024 Paris Olympics broadcast. Shen Haixiong (慎海雄), CMG’s President, said that this cooperation was among CMG’s priorities in 2023. During Shen’s trip to Europe, he also signed Olympic broadcasting agreements with the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee on October 23 and with the International Olympic Committee in Lausanne, Switzerland, on October 27.

iQIYI Signs Cooperation in Middle East

During the BRIDGE Global Media Summit held in the United Arab Emirates in December 2025, Chinese streaming platform iQIYI (爱奇艺) announced a strategic cooperation with the UAE-based BRIDGE Alliance, an initiative overseen by the UAE National Media Office. The cooperation reportedly involves plans for joint IP development, film and television production and distribution, virtual production and VR applications, and media technology exchanges focused on the Middle East and North Africa. iQIYI (爱奇艺) framed the announcement as a further step in expanding its regional presence following the launch of its MENA service in May 2025. However, the scope, funding, and concrete outcomes of the cooperation remain unspecified, and claims about ecosystem building and cross-regional impact originate primarily from the participating parties and have yet to be independently substantiated.

China Media Group and Gazprom-Media Holding Sign Strategic Media Partnership Agreement

On May 16, 2024, Aleksandr Zharov, CEO of Gazprom-Media Holding, and Shen Haixiong (慎海雄), President of China Media Group (中央廣播電視總台), signed a media cooperation agreement in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The ceremony coincided with the 75th anniversary of China-Russia diplomatic relations and the China-Russia Year of Culture. Zharov stated that “the friendship between Russia and China has reached the highest level of trust,” while Shen expressed that China Media Group was “ready to share its wisdom and strength for the benefit of the two countries.” Under the agreement, the companies committed to exchanging technological expertise and strengthening news broadcasting cooperation between Russia’s largest media corporation and China’s leading state media organization.