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Activity Type: PRC Foreign Ministry Visit or Activity

Chinese Consul General Meets with Local Media in Laos

Chinese Consul General in Luang Prabang Li Baoguang (黎宝光) met with Lao Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Savankhone Razmountry (沙万坤·兰蒙迪) on August 15, 2017, according to reports from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). The meeting, which included officials from Lao state media outlets including the Lao News Agency (巴特寮) and the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party-run Pasaxon (人民报), focused on what both sides characterized as expanding cooperation between northern Laos and China in media, culture and tourism. Savankhone praised China’s role in launching “Laos’ first communications satellite” in 2015 and claimed Chinese tourists to Laos were “increasing every year.” Li referenced the planned completion in 2021 of the China-Laos railway, saying it would “significantly increase” bilateral trade and personnel exchanges between the neighboring countries.

Chinese Embassy Hosts Media Symposium in Senegal

On December 15, 2015, the Chinese Embassy in Senegal hosted a media symposium focusing on “The Role of Media in China-Senegal Cooperation.” Over 20 journalists from major Senegalese media outlets, including the national television station, state news agency, Future Media television, and official newspapers Le Soleil and Le Quotidien, along with Chinese news agencies such as Xinhua News Agency, China Radio International, and Economic Daily, attended the event. Ambassador Zhang Xun (張迅) highlighted achievements from the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (中非合作論壇) Johannesburg Summit, which took place December 4-5, 2015, describing it as opening “a new era of win-win cooperation and common development” between China and Africa. Participating journalists shared experiences from covering the summit and “highly praised” its outcomes. They agreed that China-Africa and China-Senegal media cooperation has “enormous potential and bright prospects,” emphasizing the importance of expanding communication channels to enhance mutual understanding and promote cooperative development.

Chinese Diplomat Visits Sin Chew Daily

On December 8, 2023, Chinese Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Zheng Xuefang (鄭學方) visited the headquarters of Malaysia’s Sin Chew Daily and met with senior leaders from Media Chinese International Limited. The meeting occurred in the context of 2024 marking the 50th anniversary of China-Malaysia diplomatic relations, established on May 31, 1974. Zheng praised the role of media in strengthening bilateral relations and emphasized the concept of a “China-Malaysia community of shared destiny” (中馬命運共同體). The meeting was attended by Media Chinese International Board Chairman Tiong Choon (張聰), Editor-in-Chief Kuok Ching Kian (郭清江), Sin Chew Daily CEO Xu Chun (許春), Executive Editor-in-Chief Chen Hanguang (陳漢光), and General Manager of Corporate Relations Chen Jinquan (陳金泉).

Chinese Ambassador to Laos Visits PRC Media in Laos

On January 16, 2019, Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong (姜再冬) visited Chinese cultural and media institutions in Laos, extending New Year greetings and calling for strengthened bilateral cooperation. During visits to the Chinese Cultural Center, China Radio International’s Laos branch (under the CCP-run China Media Group), and Xinhua News Agency’s Vientiane bureau, he met with Chinese and Lao staff. Ding Qing (丁青), the Cultural Center director, reported that the center “had become a base for Laotian people to experience Chinese culture” through “Happy Spring Festival” events. Wu Yixin (吳怡杏), CRI Laos director, noted that the station broadcasts 19 hours daily in Lao and was previously praised by then-President Bounnhang Vorachith as “the voice connecting the hearts of Laos and China.” Zhang Jianhua (章建華) of Xinhua discussed their WeChat coverage and English-language reporting on bilateral cooperation. Ambassador Jiang urged the institutions to “proactively tell the stories of the Chinese Communist Party’s governance.”

Ambassador Featured in Saudi Media

In an interview with Saudi newspapers Riyadh Daily (利雅得報) and Al-Eqtisadiah (經濟報) in April 2024, outgoing Chinese Ambassador Chen Weiqing (陳偉慶) characterized bilateral relations as “full of spring’s new greenery on the ancient Silk Road” (丝路古道满眼生机,中沙关系充满春的新绿). He praised Saudi’s social and economic diversification efforts under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s leadership. The ambassador highlighted cooperation through China’s Belt and Road Initiative (一帶一路) and Saudi’s Vision 2030, pointing to Chinese companies’ involvement in major Saudi projects including NEOM, a planned futuristic city, and the Red Sea Project, a regenerative tourism initiative. Chen, who served five years in the position from 2019-2024, stated that bilateral trade had “increased by nearly 40 percent” during his tenure, from $780 billion in 2019 to over $1 trillion in 2023, and expressed his desire to return in 2030 to “witness the realization of Vision 2030.” The interviews featured extensive Chinese Communist Party terminology, including references to the “China-Arab community of shared destiny for the new era” (面向新時代的中阿命運共同體) and the “eight major joint actions” (八大共同行動) covering development, food security, health, green innovation, energy security, intercultural dialogue, youth empowerment, and security stability.

Chinese Consulate in Kuching and Malaysia’s Sin Chew Daily Launch Reading Initiative

On October 12, 2018, the Chinese Consulate General in Kuching launched the “Love Chinese Language” reading program with Sin Chew Daily (星洲日報). The initiative targeted 222 Chinese primary schools in Sarawak, featuring newspaper reading promotion, language competitions, and wall newspaper design contests. Chinese Consul General Cheng Guangzhong (程廣中) said he hoped the program would help children develop Chinese reading habits and that Malaysian Chinese were “upholding the fine tradition of respecting teachers and valuing education” and “inheriting and developing Chinese language education.” Malaysian Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching (張念群) stated the federal government would take a “more open and enlightened attitude” toward Chinese education. State official Sim Kui Hian (沈桂賢) expressed hope that Chinese universities would establish branch campuses in Sarawak. About 200 people attended the launch at Kuching Chinese Primary School No. 1. The program was reported by Xinhua News Agency as part of efforts to promote Chinese language education development in Malaysia.

Chinese Ambassador to Italy Meets Deputy Director of Italy’s TG5

On July 25, 2017, Chinese Ambassador Li Ruiyu (李瑞宇) met with Enrico Rondoni, Deputy Director of TG5, an Italian television news channel owned by Mediaset Italia S.P.A. During the meeting, Li presented exchanges and achievements between Italy and China in politics, commerce, culture, and technology. Li expressed hope that TG5 would enhance coverage of China’s economic development to give Italians “a more complete and objective idea of China.” Rondoni has served as Deputy Director of TG5 since 2006, after being Central Editor and Foreign Editor for nine years. The event was attended by Italian Deputy Minister of Economic Development Ivan Scalfarotto, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General for Country System Promotion Vincenzo De Luca, and Italian Ambassador to China Ettore Francesco Sequi, alongside representatives from Italian government, business and media.