Photo : Collected

By Md Rahim Uddin

SHENZHEN, China, Sept 05, 2026 (BSS)- Media leaders, journalists and experts from across the Asia-Pacific region today called for stronger media cooperation, greater mutual understanding and responsible communication to help build a peaceful, interconnected and prosperous regional community.

The call came at the Asia-Pacific Media Forum held here under the theme “Building a Path to Shared Prosperity for the Asia-Pacific Community: Media Consensus and Action.”

Around 200 representatives from media organisations, government bodies, international organisations, academic institutions and other sectors participated in the high-level forum, which is being held as part of China’s 2026 APEC Year.

Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government organised the event under the auspices of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and Xinhua News Agency.

The forum focused on the evolving role of media in promoting regional cooperation, communicating reliable information, responding to rapid technological changes and strengthening people-to-people understanding.

Participants observed that, in an increasingly interconnected Asia-Pacific, the media can serve as an important bridge among societies by providing objective, balanced and credible information and by highlighting opportunities for cooperation rather than confrontation.

They also highlighted the profound transformation of the media landscape brought about by digitalisation, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

Against this backdrop, media organisations face the challenge of embracing technological innovation while upholding journalistic ethics, credibility and public trust, they said.

The participants called for closer cooperation among media organisations in sharing professional experience, producing quality content and promoting accurate information about development across the Asia-Pacific.

The forum is being held ahead of the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, scheduled to take place in Shenzhen in November.

As part of the forum programme, international media representatives visited several cities in Guangdong province, including Guangzhou, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhuhai, Zhongshan and Shenzhen to gain firsthand experience of the region’s economic, technological and cultural development.

The visits showcased Guangdong’s transformation in advanced manufacturing, green development, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, new-energy vehicles and cultural industries.

In Dongguan, participants explored the city’s transformation from a traditional manufacturing centre into a hub for smart manufacturing and green technology. A sub-forum there discussed “Asia-Pacific Transformation: New Path for Digitalization, Smart Technology and Green Development.”

In Shenzhen, international media representatives also visited technology companies, including BYD, where they observed development in manufacturing electric vehicles, intelligent driving and battery technology.

The pre-forum activities provided the participating journalists with opportunities to witness the economic and technological transformation of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and exchange views with local officials, business leaders and experts.

The forum is taking place amid China’s hosting of the 2026 APEC “China Year,” during which around 300 related events are scheduled across the country. Shenzhen will host the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in November.

Participants said stronger media cooperation could contribute to greater understanding among the diverse economies and societies of the Asia-Pacific and help create a favourable information environment for economic cooperation and shared development.

The gathering is expected to translate the consensus reached by participating media organisations into concrete actions aimed at strengthening regional media cooperation and contributing to shared prosperity.