Asian media pledge to build mutual bridges

Media representatives from 17 Asian nations vowed to present accurate, rational and fair reports in order to bridge different communities and countries at a summit on Friday in Kunming, capital of Yunnan province.

More than 200 representatives from 45 newspapers, television stations and news agencies in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations - which has 10 member nations - plus Japan, South Korea and China attended the sixth 10+3 Media Cooperation Forum. The forum also invited news organizations from South Asian countries such as India, Nepal and Pakistan.

AKP Mochtan, deputy secretary-general of the ASEAN Secretariat, said government policies and social progress not only develop through interactions between governments but also from public acceptance.

"Media are essential to the communication between ethnicities and different countries," he said.

Masahiro Mikami, minister of the Japanese embassy to China, said the media have to construct accurate reports to target audiences.

"Many of our perceptions of other countries are obtained via newspapers, television or radio, so media reports are crucial in international relations," Mikami said.

Gao Anming, deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily, said media reports should not mislead the public.

"Our media should maintain peace and stability in Asia and promote mutual cooperation," he said.

Zhang Yannong, president of the People's Daily, which hosted the forum, said Asian media should report and analyze affairs around the continent in a rational and objective manner.

"We have to work together to tell good stories in harmony, justice and cooperation," Zhang said.

He said this year marks the 10th anniversary of cooperation between China and ASEAN. In recent years, China has been active in trade and economic cooperation within the East Asian region.

"Obviously, Asian countries are taking diverse roads toward their own prosperity. The percentage of direct investment within the '10+3' framework rose to 38 percent in 2011 from 25 percent in 2008," Zhang said, adding that about 85 percent of tourists to Asian countries are from within the region.

Qin Guangrong, Party chief of Yunnan, said the province is the frontier for opening-up to Southeast and South Asian countries.

Li Jiheng, governor of Yunnan, said the province is diverse due to its geography, culture and wildlife.

"The media is a bridge connecting different communities and countries. Yunnan will take advantage of its frontier location to open up to South and Southeast Asia as a center for talent, information and capital flow," he said.

Trade between China and ASEAN expanded to more than $400 billion in 2012, more than seven times the total in 2002.

"Economies have become more integrated, especially with overseas investment from within the region. The rising of China would endow Asian neighbors with great opportunities in economic expansion and access to other nations around the world," said Lee Chian-siong, director of community affairs development for the ASEAN Secretariat.

Thanong Khanthong, executive editor of the Nation Multimedia Group and ASEAN TV in Thailand, said China wants to befriend other countries around the world.

He said that China's rise would challenge the global order currently dominated by Western powers.

In many ways, China's aspirations are similar to other Asian nations, said Mochtan.

"The Chinese dream is not different from ours as I believe it's the same regardless of where we come from. The economies are interdependent. All ASEAN countries share huge benefits with China," Mochtan said.

Mochtan said China, South Korea and Japan have rushed to the aid of victims in ASEAN countries each time natural disasters have wreaked havoc in Vietnam and the Philippines.

"In essence, the Chinese dream and the ASEAN dream share the same responsibilities for their people. I am confident we will build those dreams together," he said.