THE China-Africa Media Summit kicked off in Cape Town yesterday, with both sides pledging to enhance co-operation for the benefit of mutual understanding.

Representatives from 120 media organizations in China and 47 African countries attended the gathering under the theme “A New Era of Win-Win Media Co-operation between China and Africa”. Both Chinese President Xi Jinping and his South African counterpart Jacob Zuma sent congratulatory messages to the summit.

In his keynote speech, Jiang Jianguo, Minister of State Council Information Office of China, said the summit before great significance because it took place days ahead of the Johnannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation(FOCAC), scheduled for Friday and Saturday. He addressed the importance of enhancing the role of media in promoting friendship and mutual understanding between the Chinese and African peoples.

The past recent years, Jiang said, have seen leaps and bounds in the co-operation between the Chinese and African media, thanks to the rapid development of bilateral relations. He said the media has a greater role to play as China-African relations have reached a new historical level and meet with new opportunities.

Jiang put forward four proposals for further co-operation between the Chinese and African media: continue to promote China-Africa co-operation; further consolidate the foundation of public opinion for the benefit of China-Africa friendship;create a new framework of communication with joint voices; and deepen practical exchanges between the two sides.

In his opening address, Jeff Radebe, Minister in the Presidency, said the relationship between China and Africa was based on more than just trade; it was a partnership aligned to Africa’s development goals. He pointed to an opportunity for media to contribute to development and positive behavioural change by publishing content that was not only informative, but also educational, empowering, and liberating individuals and communities.

“Media leaders from both China and Africa stand an opportunity to frame win-win solutions that would deepen this positive trajectory of co-operation and development,” he added. “At a political level, as most African leaders we appreciate the increasing diplomatic and trade relations with China,” Radebe said.-Xinhua