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Archives: Dispatches

All Lingua Sinica Dispatches

Brazil-China Communication Agency

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The Brazil-China Communication Agency, or Agência Brasil China, is a bilingual news outlet that focuses exclusively on Brazil-China relations, publishing content in both Portuguese and Chinese, covering bilateral trade, diplomatic developments, and business cooperation. Established as a registered Brazilian entity with CNPJ 07.705.048/0001-44, the agency operates from the china.org.br domain and describes its mission as exploring “communication, tourism and bilateral business” areas. The outlet’s recent coverage includes Chinese automotive investments in Brazil, bilateral space cooperation initiatives, and trade developments, consistently emphasizing positive aspects of China-Brazil relations. While presenting itself as an independent news source focused on bilateral relations, the agency’s editorial approach mirrors patterns observed in other Chinese media partnerships in Brazil, where research has documented systematic efforts to “reframe China’s image” through local media collaborations.

China Media Group Signs Strategic Cooperation Agreement with Macau SAR

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On September 28, 2025, in Macau, China Media Group (CMG) and the Macau Special Administrative Region signed a framework agreement to “deepen strategic cooperation” in news reporting, talent exchange, international communication and sports events, with Macao SAR Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai (贺一诚) and CMG President Shen Haixiong (慎海雄) attending the ceremony. Officials at the signing ceremony said the partnership would help Macao “enhance its international communication capabilities” (提升国际传播能力) and build the region into an “exchange and cooperation base with Chinese culture as the mainstream.” Zheng Xincong (郑新聪), the head of the PRC government’s Liaison Office in Macau, described the agreement as establishing “an important platform” for “telling Macao’s stories to the world” and providing “new impetus” for CMG to become a “world-class, new-type mainstream media group” — the term “mainstream” in this context meaning that it aligns with the goals of the Chinese Communist Party.

Xinhua Signs MOU with Azerbaijan’s Media Development Agency

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On August 31, 2025, Azerbaijan’s Media Development Agency signed a cooperation agreement with China’s Xinhua News Agency. According to the Azerbaijani agency, the partnership aims to “strengthen, promote and develop cooperation between the two countries in the field of mass media based on the principle of reciprocity and mutual benefit.” The agreement encompasses information sharing, joint project collaboration, and the organization of training programs and conferences. The formal exchange ceremony took place on September 6, 2025, during China’s Global South Media and Think Tanks Forum in Yunnan Province, where Ahmad Ismayilov, head of Azerbaijan’s Media Development Agency, met with Xinhua President Fu Hua (傅華) to formalize the partnership.

Chinese Embassy Donates Media Equipment to Island Sun

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On August 27, 2021, the Chinese Embassy in Honiara, the capital city of the Solomon Islands, donated computers to the Island Sun newspaper in a ceremony where the Deputy Head of Mission personally presented the equipment to the publication’s owner. Embassy officials framed the donation as part of their commitment to supporting local media during difficult times, specifically citing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The newspaper’s leadership welcomed what they described as a “timely donation” and expressed interest in strengthening future collaboration with the Embassy. The donation is an example of China’s broader overseas media strategy of providing technical equipment and resources to local news organizations as a means of building relationships and influence.

Chinese Embassy in Solomon Islands

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The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Solomon Islands opened on September 21, 2019, shortly after the Solomon Islands switched its diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China and established formal relations with the People’s Republic of China. The embassy was at the center of a scandal in 2023, when, according to leaked documents obtained by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), it donated equipment and funds to various media outlets in the Solomon Islands in an apparent attempt to secure favorable coverage.

The Island Sun

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The Island Sun is a privately owned daily newspaper based in the Solomon Islands that launched its first issue on October 6, 2006. Operating from its headquarters in Honiara, the newspaper provides coverage across politics, sports, trade, and economic affairs in the Pacific island nation. The publication’s editorial approach to China-related content has been notably positive in tone and framing — including straight and uncritical coverage affirming China’s position on Taiwan. At the same time, Island Sun ceased reporting on Taiwan-related developments in 2021, followed by the discontinuation of Hong Kong coverage in 2022. These editorial decisions occurred within the broader context of evolving China-Solomon Islands relations, including practical support such as the August 27, 2021, donation of computer equipment from the People’s Republic of China Embassy in Honiara during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shenyang Hosts Cross-Strait Media Youth Symposium

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On September 10, 2025, the Liaoning Provincial Taiwan Affairs Office (遼寧省委台辦) and Liaoning Communication University (遼寧傳媒學院) hosted a cross-strait media symposium titled “Liaoning-Taiwan Perspectives: A Mirror for the Future” (遼台視界 鏡啟未來) in Shenyang. Nearly 40 participants attended, including journalists from Taiwan, social media personalities, reporters from Hong Kong, and professors from Liaoning Communication University. Participants included Yuan Tianming (袁天明), chairman of the little-known Chinese Journalists Association (中華新聞記者協會), or CJA TW, who was misidentified as chairman of the Association of Taiwan Journalists (台灣新聞記者協會), a professional non-governmental organization composed of Taiwanese journalists. Yuan characterized the event as “meaningful for deepening cross-strait exchange” and complimented China’s grand official commemoration on September 3 of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. During the symposium, three Taiwanese nationals identified as social media personalities (自媒體人)— Sun Ziyun (孫子芸), James (邱慶齡), and Wu Zhichun (吳志淳) — shared their personal experiences working in China. Sun Ziyun described Liaoning as her “second hometown,” while Wu Zhichun promoted the province’s policies for Taiwanese entrepreneurs, including office space, tax benefits, and housing subsidies. James, visiting Liaoning for the first time, shared his experience of having participated in the September 3 military parade. While identified as social media personalities, the three Taiwanese participants have chiefly been promoters of China and its message of cross-strait integration, and seem to have little appreciable impact inside Taiwan.

Liaoning Provincial Taiwan Affairs Office

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The Liaoning Provincial Taiwan Affairs Office (遼寧省人民政府台灣事務辦公室) is a provincial government agency responsible for coordinating cross-strait exchanges and implementing propaganda activities in line with Chinese Communist Party objectives regarding Taiwan.  Established as part of the broader Taiwan Affairs Office network that was created in 1988 under the leadership of the CCP’s Central Committee and State Council, the local office manages all Taiwan-related policies, including personnel exchanges, seminars, and international visits.

MCOT Public Company Limited

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MCOT Public Company Limited (บริษัท อสมท จำกัด มหาชน) is Thailand’s state-owned public broadcaster, established as Thai Television Company Limited on November 10, 1952, and reorganized as the Mass Communication Organization of Thailand in 1977. MCOT operates under the Ministry of Finance, running four main business segments: television broadcasting through MCOT 9 Television Station and 35 provincial network stations; radio operations via 47 central stations covering 92.4 percent of Thailand; digital terrestrial television under DVB-T2 standards; and digital/new media services including on-demand content through internet platforms. MCOT reported a net loss of 316.7 million baht ($8.98 million USD) in 2024 on revenues of 1.17 billion baht ($33.15 million USD), a sharp reversal from 2023’s profit of 587.4 million baht ($16.65 million USD) on 2.38 billion baht ($67.5 million USD) revenue, according to company financial statements, reflecting significant challenges facing traditional state broadcasters in Thailand’s evolving media landscape.