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Archives: Dispatches

All Lingua Sinica Dispatches

Xinhua Deepens Coooperation with Kyodo News

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On February 17, 2025, Fu Hua (傅華), the president of China’s official Xinhua News Agency, met with his counterpart at the non-profit cooperative news agency Kyodo News, Mizutani Toru, in Tokyo, both organizations agreeing to “deepen exchange and cooperation.” Fu Hua stated that as “important media institutions of both countries,” Xinhua and Kyodo serve as “witnesses and participants in the development of bilateral relations.” This was a typical portrayal of media partnerships not as professional media activities by rather diplomatic events. The partners committed to “consolidating existing cooperative results,” expanding collaboration in new media and technology applications, and working together under the World Media Summit (WMS) framework — referring to an ostensible global media grouping entirely controlled by Xinhua — to “promote mutual understanding between Chinese and Japanese people” and “enhance mutual trust” to help bilateral relations “move forward steadily and sustainably.”

South Korea’s JoongAng Ilbo Signs MOU with Wuxi Daily

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The JoongAng Ilbo (중앙일보) of South Korea and Wuxi Daily (无锡日报), the official publication of the CCP Committee in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, signed a strategic cooperation memorandum on April 23, 2024, during a Wuxi economic and cultural delegation visit to Korea. The partnership leverages both media platforms to promote bilateral economic, cultural, and tourism resources between the two regions. JoongAng Group, Korea’s comprehensive content media conglomerate, operates extensive global news networks and maintains relationships with state-level Chinese media including Xinhua News Agency and China Daily. The collaboration established regular communication mechanisms for joint interviews and friendship-building activities, capitalizing on Wuxi’s substantial Korean business presence — nearly 800 Korean enterprises and Korea representing Wuxi’s largest source of sister-city relationships — to enhance mutual understanding and expand Wuxi’s profile in Korean markets.

China Today Hosts Youth Dialogue

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China Today held the “Gathering at China Today Salon – The Bridge of Peace: Dialogue Between Greater Bay Area and European Youth Leaders” on July 27, 2025, at its Macao Salon in Hengqin, Guangdong Province. The event was co-hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) (中國人民對外友好協會) and China International Communication Group (CICG) (中國外文局), with organizational support from the Guangdong People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. The event, themed “Lasting Peace by Youth, Brighter Future via Technology,” took place on the eve of the World Youth Peace Conference. Yang Wanming (楊萬明), president of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), delivered a video message claiming that “young people are the most dynamic force in society.” Du Zhanyuan (杜占元), president of China International Communications Group (CICG), stated the event aimed to “create opportunities for mutual learning and business collaboration” between Chinese and European young entrepreneurs. Jacobo García, president of the Global Youth Leadership Forum, delivered remarks highlighting what he described as the “pivotal role of technological revolution, economic development, and global cooperation” in addressing shared challenges. Chinese sources indicate over 80 youth representatives and sector representatives from China and Europe attended the event.

The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries

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The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (中国人民对外友好协会), or CPAFFC, is a Beijing-based organization established in May 1954 that manages sister city relationships and international cultural exchanges — and serves as a key conduit for establishing links with individuals and organizations overseas favorable to the official agendas of the CCP leadership. Directly under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA, the organization, as its name suggests, is officially geared toward promoting “friendship” (友谊) between Chinese and foreign peoples, but the CCP’s conception of friendship centers on notions going back to Soviet Russia that emphasize harmony, lack of criticism and even accommodation of China’s positions and goals.

Brazilian Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation

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Brazil’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação) is the federal cabinet agency responsible for coordinating the country’s science, technology and innovation policies since its establishment in March 1985. The ministry oversees multiple secretariats including digital transformation, technological development, and social development programs. Headquartered in Brasília’s government district, the MCTI serves as Brazil’s primary institutional partner for international technology cooperation agreements, including recent artificial intelligence partnerships with countries like China aimed at strengthening bilateral innovation frameworks.

Xi Pens Article in Chilean Newspaper Before Visit

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Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) published a signed article titled “Jointly Creating a Better Future for China-Chile Relations” (共同開創中國和智利關係更加美好的未來) in Chile’s El Mercurio (信使報) newspaper on November 22, 2016, ahead of his state visit. In the article, Xi described Chile as a “country at the end of the world” with beautiful scenery and praised its people for creating a “development miracle.” He noted that despite geographic distance, the two nations shared deep connections, referencing how Chilean poet Pablo Neruda called China a “great brother.” Xi highlighted several diplomatic “firsts,” including Chile being the first South American country to establish relations with the PRC on December 15, 1970, and the first Latin American country to sign a bilateral free trade agreement with China in 2005. Xi claimed bilateral trade reached $31.8 billion in 2015, “making China Chile’s largest trading partner and Chile China’s third-largest trade partner in Latin America.”

Jinan Overseas International Communication Center Opens in Paris

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The Jinan Overseas International Communication Center (濟南海外國際傳播中心) was inaugurated in Paris on November 26, 2024, alongside a cultural exhibition celebrating the city’s spring water heritage. Tang Ji (唐霽), Deputy Director of Xinhua News Agency Paris Branch (新華社巴黎分社副社長), and Sun Shihui (孫世會), Deputy Director of the Jinan Propaganda Office, presided over the ceremony with French officials. The center claimed it would “tell Jinan’s story to the world and showcase the unique charm of spring culture” (向世界講述濟南故事，展示泉水文化的獨特魅力), according to coverage by Jinan Daily News Group. Three French representatives were appointed as “Spring City Recommenders” including France-China Friendship Association vice-chair Liyakid Ben Ami, “My French Friends” association president Mai Sui, and Beatrice de Focko, former global communications director at BNP Paribas (法國巴黎銀行). Sophie Mette, a French National Assembly member representing Gironde, stated that the exhibition would deepen understanding of Jinan’s culture among French citizens. Officials said the center would serve as a platform for deepening cultural exchanges between China and France.

8th World Artificial Intelligence Conference

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The 8th World Artificial Intelligence Conference (世界人工智能大会), or WAIC, was held in Shanghai from July 28 to July 30, 2025, with participation from representatives from more than 40 countries — as China pressed to position itself as a global leader on AI development and governance. WAIC is an annual Shanghai-based event that bills itself as “one of the most influential AI events within the global tech, science, and industry ecosystem.” Launched in 2018 and hosted by several Chinese government ministries and the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government (上海市人民政府), with Donghao Lansheng Group (东浩兰生集团) as executive organizer, WAIC has convened for seven consecutive years, featuring scientists, entrepreneurs, government officials, and investors. Donghao Lansheng Group is a state-owned enterprise based in Shanghai, whose sole shareholder is the Shanghai State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (上海市国有资产监督管理委员会). Co-organizing ministries include the National Development and Reform Commission (国家发展和改革委员会), the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (工业和信息化部), the Ministry of Science and Technology (科学技术部), the State Internet Information Office (国家互联网信息办公室), the Chinese Academy of Sciences (中国科学院), the Chinese Academy of Engineering (中国工程院), and the Chinese Association for Science and Technology (中国科学技术协会). The 2025 edition, held July 26-28 under the theme “Global Solidarity in the AI Era,” attracted over 800 companies and featured more than 3,000 exhibits — and was heavily billed by state media as a sign of China’s global leadership on AI safety and other key emerging global issues in the field. Chinese Premier Li Qiang (李强) used the platform to propose a global AI governance framework, while CNN reported the conference showcased China’s technological capabilities amid ongoing US-China AI competition, with demonstrations including “mahjong-playing humanoid” robots and boxing robots that “quickly caught the attention of visitors.”

Ministry of Industry and Information Technology

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The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (工業和信息化部) is a cabinet-level executive department of China’s State Council, established in 2008 to supersede the Ministry of Information Industry. MIIT oversees regulation and development of telecommunications, internet, broadcasting, electronics, software industry, and industrial policy. The ministry plays a central role in China’s technological governance, including an active role in implementing technical aspects of internet censorship including the approval since 2023 of all mobile apps distributed in the country. The ministry also manages radio spectrum allocation. MIIT spearheaded the “Made in China 2025” industrial plan and co-organizes major government initiatives like the World Artificial Intelligence Conference, functioning as a key instrument for advancing state priorities in technology and industrial development while maintaining strict control over China’s digital infrastructure.