Global South Media Partners Mechanism Inauguration Meeting and 13th Global Video Media Forum held in Xi'an

The Global South Media Partners Mechanism Inauguration Meeting and the 13th Global Video Media Forum was held on Thursday in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province. 

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi sent congratulatory letters, extending their best wishes for the event's complete success.

More than 300 guests, including heads of international organizations and media institutions from 40 countries and regions, as well as representatives from relevant embassies in China, attended the event and witnessed the release of multiple achievements in media cooperation.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's letter to the Global South Media Partners Mechanism Inauguration Meeting and the 13th Global Video Media Forum. /CMG

Dissanayake pointed out in his congratulatory letter that as the international landscape undergoes profound changes, the influence of Global South countries continues to grow. The initiative by CMG to establish and actively promote the Global South Media Partners Mechanism will strongly advance in-depth cooperation among international media, broaden channels for multi-sector exchanges, and strengthen necessary coordination and synergy, he added.

By fostering broad consensus through a new agenda, it will open up new pathways for global development, Dissanayake said, extending his sincere wishes for the complete success of the event.

Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi's letter to the Global South Media Partners Mechanism Inauguration Meeting and the 13th Global Video Media Forum. /CMG

Orsi noted in his congratulatory letter that the Global South Media Partners Mechanism Inauguration Meeting and the 13th Global Video Media Forum holds great significance and promising prospects. He emphasized that this grand event will further promote dialogue and exchange, build bridges of understanding and cooperation, and strengthen the close ties among nations. 

The achievements of the conference will contribute to improving the global governance system and upholding international fairness and justice. In this process, Uruguay will stand shoulder to shoulder with China and move forward together, the president noted.

Zhao Yide, secretary of the Shaanxi Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and chairman of the Standing Committee of Shaanxi Provincial People's Congress, stated in his speech that in the new era, Shaanxi has actively followed the laws and trends of media development, accelerated the building of an all-media communication system, and focused on enhancing the communicative power of media integration and interaction, the originality of media content production, the penetration of media participation in governance, and the influence of media empowerment in opening up.

These efforts aim to provide strong spiritual momentum and public opinion support for advancing high-quality development and modernization, Zhao added.

Shen Haixiong, president of CMG, speaks at the Global South Media Partners Mechanism Inauguration Meeting and the 13th Global Video Media Forum held in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, November 6, 2025. /CMG

Shen Haixiong, president of China Media Group, stated in his speech that the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation. At this historical moment, the Global Governance Initiative proposed by China directly addresses the most pressing and urgent needs of the Global South countries. 

CMG initiated the establishment of the Global South Media Partners Mechanism to work with Chinese and international media counterparts in exploring the media's responsibility in global governance. "It is on this basis that we must uphold journalistic professionalism, embrace technological transformation, build bridges for dialogue and focus on development cooperation," he added.

At the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, China unveiled a blueprint for the country's development over the next five years, Shen said, noting that Chinese modernization represents a significant opportunity for global development.

CMG stands ready to work hand in hand with its Global South media partners to seize this opportunity and move forward together, contributing media wisdom and strength to build a fairer, more inclusive and better world order, he added.

Launch of the Global South Media Partners Mechanism at the Global South Media Partners Mechanism Inauguration Meeting and the 13th Global Video Media Forum in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, November 6, 2025. /CMG

At the event, Shen, together with senior officials from Shaanxi, Fan Yun, deputy editor-in-chief of CMG and editor-in-chief of CGTN, representatives from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan, Kenya, as well as leaders of major regional media alliances, including the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union, the Arab States Broadcasting Union, the Latin American Information Alliance, and the Caribbean Broadcasting Union, jointly launched the Global South Media Partners Mechanism.

The mechanism, guided by the principles of "joint construction and shared benefits, mutual trust and assistance, seeking common ground while reserving differences, and diverse cooperation," aims to promote deeper collaboration among Global South media and enhance the discourse power of the Global South. A total of 528 media organizations from 114 countries and regions have joined up to now.

During the forum's discussion session, guests shared their views on topics such as global governance, equitable communication and mutual learning among civilizations. 

Omar Razzaz, a senior fellow at Harvard Kennedy School and former prime minister and minister of defense of Jordan, stated that as a steadfast member of the Global South, Jordan firmly believes that unity and collaboration are the only way to meet challenges and seize opportunities. He noted that the Global South Media Partners Mechanism is not only a platform for dialogue but also an action alliance that brings together wisdom and consolidates strength. Through this mechanism, media organizations from various countries can transcend regional and cultural differences and jointly enhance the international discourse power of the Global South.

Patrick Muyaya, minister of Communication and Media and government spokesperson of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, stated that Global South media should shift from being mere observers of world narratives to becoming the main drivers of their own stories.

The establishment of the Global South Media Partners Mechanism is not only a proactive response to the needs of this era, but also an important platform for enhancing media capacity, deepening cooperation in content production and stimulating innovation, he said, noting that it will help media in Global South countries engage in practical collaboration based on equality and mutual trust while maintaining independence in exchanges and mutual learning.

Nguyen Thanh Lam, the general director of the Viet Nam Television, stated that through the Global South Media Partners Mechanism, media from Global South countries will further deepen mutual learning, experience sharing and co-creation of content, amplifying voices of unity, responsibility and innovation to global audiences. Upholding the spirit of "consultation, contribution and shared benefits," every story told jointly by media partners will contribute to strengthening the soft power of Global South countries and promoting a more inclusive and harmonious world, he noted.

Mederbek Shermetaliev, director of the Kabar News Agency of Kyrgyzstan, stated that strengthening communication and cooperation among Global South media helps to promote a more just and reasonable international communication order, foster dialogue and mutual learning among different civilizations, and enhance friendly relations between peoples of all countries. The Global South Media Partners Mechanism is committed to ensuring that the voices of all countries are fully heard and serves as an important platform for promoting a balanced development of the global media landscape, the director added.

Agnes Kalekye Nguna,managing director of Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, stated that African countries are eager to use their own voices to tell their own stories and convey a true and comprehensive image. She expressed gratitude to the Global South Media Partners Mechanism for providing valuable opportunities for African media, allowing Africa to "no longer whisper in the corners or beg for a place by someone else's fire."

Kenya Broadcasting Corporation will actively participate in this mechanism, working hand in hand with Global South media to jointly illuminate the light of justice, equality and diversity, she noted.

Jorge Palenque, CEO of Bolivia's National Radio and Television Company, stated that the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee sent a strong signal of continued high-level opening up, sharing opportunities with countries around the world, and pursuing common development.

This inspires Global South media to build a more cooperative, united and interest-driven model of communication, he said, noting that this meeting, convened by CMG, is of great significance, prompting all parties to rethink the role that Global South media should play in the field of communication and to jointly build a more balanced media governance system.

Leaders from multiple international media organizations, mainstream global media outlets, and diplomatic missions in China sent video messages to the event, expressing their willingness to work hand in hand with Global South media colleagues, using dialogue to eliminate bias and shared efforts to build consensus, thereby promoting a more balanced, inclusive and sustainable media ecosystem.

At the event, the Global South Media Training Center was also inaugurated. CMG, in collaboration with media from Global South countries and universities at home and abroad, has established the training center in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, launching a series of training programs to promote deeper and more practical exchanges of media talent among Global South countries.

On the same day, CGTN of CMG launched its Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV (FAST) vertical channels, initially offering Finance, Culture and Tourism, and Documentary channels. Available through 15 major overseas FAST platforms, these channels provide global audiences with a richer and more professional audiovisual experience.

Several media cooperation achievements were announced at the event. The "Global South Views the World" Global Public Opinion Survey Blue Book systematically presents the perceptions and attitudes of people in developing countries on global challenges such as poverty, food security, and safety. The co-produced program "Voices of the Global South" showcases the reflections and explorations of Global South countries on strengthening global governance. CMG's International Video News Agency independently developed the Global South Media Intelligent Sharing Platform, using technology to enhance media communication effectiveness. The Co-Creation Program of the Global South conveys the rich culture and boundless charm of Global South countries through visual storytelling.

At the event, Xi'an also unveiled the AI digital persona "A-Yong." Leveraging intelligent digital technologies, "A-Yong" can interact with audiences in hundreds of languages, introducing the unique charm and profound heritage of the ancient city of Xi'an to the world.