Daily Times

The lately held international conference on “Cross-Regional Media Fusion among the Belt and Road Partners” by the Centre for Global and Strategic Studies (CGSS) has shown the world how the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is highly welcomed by its member counties.

“Belt and Road Initiative is a harbinger of new era and will bridge the gap between the North and the South,” Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said at the conference.

CGSS President Major General (r) Syed Khalid Amir Jaffery said in the opening remarks that the BRI was a comprehensive project to promote regional connectivity.

According to Gwadar Pro app, prominent speakers from China, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Iran, Kyrgyz Republic, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan spoke high about the benefits of the BRI.

From Uzbekistan, Ismailov Muzaffar, Chief Editor, UzReport, Tashkent, presented his views on Uzbekistan’s new strategy of development through media integration.

He said Uzbekistan was working diligently for media development and many new government and private channels have been launched with the objective to create awareness among the masses regarding the real facts of the BRI project.

Representing Azerbaijan, Shahin Jafarov, Senior Correspondent, Azerbaijan state news agency Baku, stated that the BRI was not only a financial project but also a cultural project that “helps in connecting different communities and promotes regional integration” and mutual cooperation.

Asad Inam, CEO, X2O, said that Asia in the past had no comparison with the other continents but through China’s initiative of BRI, Asia is now considered as the biggest economies in the world. All this progress that has been made can be promoted through media. Advertising can play a very vital role for BRI.

Uladzislau Sychevich, journalist from Belarus Today, Minsk from Belarus in his speech highlighted the strategic importance of Belarus. He stated that geographical position of Belarus is very significant for BRI. In 2016, media international forum was established to promote exchange of information and cooperation.

The second session commenced with the speech by Dr Moeed Yusuf, chairperson of Strategic Policy Planning Cell, Prime Minister Secretariat, who was the guest of honour. He said the BRI must not be observed on infrastructural basis rather it must be analysed in terms of connectivity. Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision is based on economic diplomacy through integration with global market. South Asia is the least integrated region in the world. BRI is the key pillar in establishing people to people contact.

Dr Hunag Chu-xin, Deputy Director General and General Secretary, New Media Research Centre, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing from China presented recommendations on how to deeply integrate media of different regions.

He stated that we must make better use of different cooperation platforms in the aspect of more targeted news convergence and distribution and video programmes production.

Noorul Ameen Izzadeen, Deputy Editor, The Sunday Times, Colombo while representing Sri Lanka presented insight on the inter linkages between media industry to strengthen China-Sri Lanka alliance.

He said BRI was playing a very positive role in promotion and enhancement of bilateral and multilateral relations, promotion of justice, shared values and cooperation.

From Kyrgyz Republic, Adilet Adenisov, Expert from President Press Service, Bishkek presented speech on Belt and Road Initiative and opportunities through media exchange.

He stated that BRI aims to improve economy of more than 60 countries. BRI covers almost the 75% population of the world and wide range of area is now joined by BRI. From Tajikistan, Qanoatullo Saifulloev, “Khovar” News Agency, Dushanbe said the goal of BRI is integrated common development.

Around 300 people including diplomats, policy experts and media personalities attended the Conference.