BRI highly applauded by member countries

Islamabad: The lately held International Conference on “Cross-Regional Media Fusion among the Belt and Road Partners” by the Center for Global and Strategic Studies (CGSS) has shown the word how the Belt and Road Initiative 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, China Economic Net reported.

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

Prominent international speakers with media background from China, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Iran, Kyrgyz Republic, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan also provided valuable insight regarding the topic.

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. The main focus is to promote useful information and discuss it from methodological point of view.

Representing Azerbaijan, Shahin Jafarov, Senior Correspondent, Azerbaijan State News Agency, Baku stated that BRI was not only a financial project but is also a cultural project that helps in connecting different communities and promotes regional integration and mutual cooperation. He stated that we have gained infrastructural achievements through BRI and have established six new international airports.

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. He stated that interaction must be developed on the Government level and international markets must be established to promote regional cooperation.

Uladzislau Sychevich, Journalist, Publishing House “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. BRI is the key to regional transformation.

The second session commenced with the speech by Dr Moeed Yusuf, Chairperson Strategic Policy Planning Cell, Prime Minister Secretariat, Islamabad who was Guest of the Honor.

He said the BRI must not be observed on infrastructural basis rather it must be analyzed 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. Acceptance and celebration of diversity is the need of the time and information sharing platforms must be developed regarding the BRI project.

Dr Hunag Chu-xin, Deputy Director General and General Secretary, New Media Research Center, 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 programs 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. He stated that more awareness must be created regarding BRNN amongst the BRI partners as very less people knows about it. China is the biggest trading partner of Sri Lanka and also the largest donor which will be further enhanced through BRI.

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. Revival of new Silk Road has created a new phase in the Tajikistan and China relations. Imperative points for Tajikistan is improvement of the transit, construction of highways, tunnels and multilateral cooperation.

Saeed Javed, Director General External Publicity Wing, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Islamabad stated that BRI is increasing the growth potential of approximately 4.6 billion people contributing 61% of the world’s population.

“BRI is essential for promoting trade and business linkages and absorption of immense resources. BRI is boosting regional cooperation and transportation system. Pakistani media consists of around 100 television channels and thousands of trade publications, therefore electronic media is essential to convey factual information regarding BRI initiative,” he said.

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