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Archives: Dispatches

All Lingua Sinica Dispatches

CMG and Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation Sign Cooperation MOU

Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC), Pakistan’s state broadcaster, signed a cooperation memorandum with China Media Group on September 2, 2025, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin. The agreement was among 14 bilateral media cooperation deals CMG struck with broadcasters from 13 countries during the summit, covering news reporting, joint programming, cultural activities, technological innovation, industry development, personnel exchanges, and media resource sharing. The CMG partnership with PBC is part of China’s broader efforts to strengthen SCO media cooperation.

Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation

Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC), operating as Radio Pakistan, serves as Pakistan’s largest state media network under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting with approximately 80 broadcasting units housed in 32 broadcasting houses across the country. The corporation reaches 96 percent of Pakistan’s population and covers 90 percent of the nation’s territory through its extensive AM, SW, and FM stations, broadcasting in 29 national, regional, local and foreign languages with 119 daily news bulletins totaling 684 minutes. Established under the PBC Act-1973, the network functions as the government’s primary medium for disseminating policy initiatives while promoting Pakistan as a progressive Islamic democracy. PBC maintains significant digital presence with over 2.5 million Facebook followers, active Twitter and Instagram accounts, and a YouTube channel, positioning itself as the “Voice of Pakistan” both domestically and internationally.

CMG and Kyrgyz National TV Sign Cultural Exchange Letter of Intent

The National Broadcasting Corporation of the Kyrgyz Republic (KTRK), Kyrgyzstan’s state broadcaster, signed a letter of intent for joint cultural exchange activities with China Media Group on September 2, 2025, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin. The agreement was among 14 bilateral media cooperation deals CMG struck with broadcasters from 13 countries during the summit, covering news reporting, joint programming, cultural activities, technological innovation, industry development, personnel exchanges, and media resource sharing. The CMG partnership with KTRK is part of China’s broader efforts to strengthen SCO media cooperation.

Ministry of Culture Sports and Tourism of Vietnam

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Bộ Văn hóa, Thể thao và Du lịch) is a Vietnamese government ministry responsible for state administration of culture, family affairs, sports, and tourism nationwide. The ministry was established in 2007 through the merger of the Committee of Physical Training and Sports, General Department of Tourism, and culture sections from the Ministry of Culture and Information, and oversees numerous agencies including the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, Sports Authority of Vietnam, and agencies for fine arts, cultural heritage, cinema, and performing arts, managing public services across these sectors throughout Vietnam.

2025 ASEAN-China Media Cooperation Forum

The 2025 ASEAN-China Media Cooperation Forum convened on May 25, 2025, in Luoyang, Henan Province, themed “Harnessing the Power of AI to Enhance Communication Cooperation in the Region.” The event brought together approximately 150 attendees including diplomatic envoys and media professionals from all 10 ASEAN member states, plus Chinese government officials and media representatives. Key participants included Secretary General Shi Zhongjun (石中軍) of the ASEAN-China Center, Cambodia’s minister of information Kem Gunawadh, Vietnam’s deputy minister Phan Tam, ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General San Lwin (via video), and President Du Zhanyuan (杜占元) of the China International Communications Group. International partners included: diplomatic representatives from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, plus ASEAN Youth Organization representatives. Co-hosted by the ASEAN-China Center (中國—東盟中心) and China International Communications Group (中國外文局), the forum launched joint initiatives on AI-powered media ecosystem governance and new media exchange programs, with discussions focused on what organizers characterized as combating fake news and promoting responsible AI use in media.

CMG and IRNA Sign Cooperation MOU

Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Iran’s state-controlled news agency, signed a cooperation memorandum with the state-run China Media Group on September 2, 2025, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin. The agreement was among 14 bilateral media cooperation deals CMG struck with broadcasters from 13 countries during the summit, covering news reporting, joint programming, cultural activities, technological innovation, industry development, personnel exchanges, and media resource sharing. The CMG partnership with IRNA is part of China’s broader efforts to strengthen SCO media cooperation.

China Media Group and Atameken Sign Cooperation MOU

Atameken TV, Kazakhstan’s broadcasting network, signed a cooperation memorandum with the state-run China Media Group on September 2, 2025, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin. The agreement was among 14 bilateral media cooperation deals CMG struck with broadcasters from 13 countries during the summit, covering news reporting, joint programming, cultural activities, technological innovation, industry development, personnel exchanges, and media resource sharing. The CMG partnership with Atameken TV is part of China’s broader efforts to strengthen SCO media cooperation.

Atameken Business Channel

Atameken Business Channel is Kazakhstan’s first multimedia business news channel, providing comprehensive coverage of financial, economic and political developments. The channel offers news analysis, market ratings, economic projections, exchange rates, securities markets, precious metals pricing, commodity resources, banking news, stock exchange updates, and corporate information. As a specialized business media outlet, Atameken serves as a key source for economic intelligence and market data in Kazakhstan’s rapidly developing economy.

Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance

The Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance (وزارت فرهنگ و ارشاد اسلامی) is an Iranian government ministry formed in 1984 through the merger of the Ministry of Culture and Art with the Ministry of Information and Tourism. The ministry regulates media access, enforces internet censorship, and manages cultural content deemed to violate Iranian ethics or promote foreign values. It oversees licensing for import and export of films, books, audio recordings, visual art, and printed materials, while also managing the alignment of religion with state law. Employing over 12,700 staff, the ministry serves as one of Iran’s three “sovereign” ministerial departments, operating independently from external audit and playing a crucial role in controlling information flow and cultural expression within the Islamic Republic.