Raphael Oni
Media professionals from China and Africa have convened in Beijing ahead of the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit, scheduled for September 4-6, 2024. The summit aims to strengthen Sino-African ties, focusing on key areas like infrastructure development, health, technology, and economic cooperation.
The sixth edition of the Forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation has concluded in Beijing, with participants reaching agreements on over 60 cooperation projects since its inception in 2012. Ministers, publishers, broadcasters, and industry leaders from China and Africa attended the high-level meetings, joined by think tank representatives to discuss boosting cross-continental ties.
Our correspondent attended in Summit and was able to get interview with some high level profiles attendees. His Excellency Daniel Sando, the Deputy Minister of Press and Public Affairs, Republic of Liberia believes that China has a lot to pass to his country. In his words, “We have a situation where new media has come in and is taking over all traditional media. How China has navigated its way through New Media is a lesson that Liberia can learn. As a country, we are very liberal. We have come to learn from China, to exchange ideas.”
Montlenyane Baaitse, the Permanent Secretary for Government Communication, Botswana said, “If you share a lot story-wise, we are sharing knowledge, we are sharing technology. We are sharing how we can advance our media industry, our economies, and all the platforms and sectors of the economy.”
Speaking with our correspondent Gerard Govinden, The Chief Exective Officer of National Information Services Agency, Seychelles, said, “The media means the people, so we need the people to develop media. The minute we meet people from different parts of the world, we are enlarging our communication base.”
On his part, Ifeanyi Okeke, Head of the Bilateral Unit, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation of Nigeria sees endless opportunities between China and Africa, he believe all we need to do is to go back on the drawing board and leverage on the already signed agreements. In his words, “For me, this has been quite enlightening. It’s mind-blowing, the level of discussions and ideas that has been thrown up by this meeting. I see greater cooperation. I see a lot of future between Africa and China. I see a great leveraging on the sheer experience that China has already advanced in areas of media. I see that happening between Africa and China. All we need to do is leverage on the areas, leverage on the areas and opportunities we have, go back to the drawing board. We already have some agreements with some Chinese media organizations. All we need to do is work on it.”
Similarly, Rabiu Ibrahim, Special Assistant Media to the Minister of Information and National Orientation Nigeria, see the leadership role of China in the Global South Cooperation. In his words, “This event is great. I think it is in continuation of the Global South Cooperation which China is leading in the forefront.Their ability to find a common ground for Africa in various aspects of life, for this one including media, is important and you can see with the number and diversity of African professionals and government officials who have graced this occasion and looking forward to also signing certain bilateral and multilateral cooperation and this is what makes this summit very significant. ”
The High level Media Summit serves as build up for the 2024 FOCAC Summit, attendees to this summit put the necessary documents that will be considered at the head of government summit. The China-Africa Vision 2035 aims for deeper media exchange, training of media professionals, and technology boosting. Participants believe the cooperation plan can promote people-to-people bonds, fostering mutual learning and respect.
