Shi Zhongjun Meets Cambodian Minister for Information

On 6 December 2024, Secretary General Shi Zhongjun of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) met with Minister Neth Pheaktra for Information of Cambodia in Phnom Penh. Both sides exchanged views on deepening ASEAN-China and Cambodia-China media cooperation.

Shi Zhongjun underlined that promoting media cooperation is one of the ACC’s six priority areas. In recent years, the ACC has carried out such flagship projects as the ASEAN-China Media Cooperation Forum, the Familiarization Trips for both Chinese and ASEAN Media, and the Cloud Tour of ASEAN with the ACC, in the purpose of building platforms for ASEAN-China media exchanges and interaction, and contributing to better promoting ASEAN-China relations and ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The ACC will continue to make good use of its own resources to support the capacity building of Cambodian media agencies, and carry out more cooperation with the esteemed Ministry in combating fake news and misinformation, training of media practitioners, and telling more and better stories of Cambodia-China friendship, so as to help build a Cambodia-China community with a shared future, gather public strength, and consolidate public support for the steady and sustainable growth of ASEAN-China relations.

Neth Pheaktra shared an status quo overview of media development in Cambodia, as well as the future strategic plans of the Ministry. In light of the rapid advancement of IT technologies, the Ministry is committed to fostering information and communication services which align with the current needs and contribute to nurturing a robust and constructive national information and public opinion landscape. We are pleased to observe that Cambodia-China relations are gaining rapid momentum of growth under the strategic guidance of the leaders on both sides. It is also encouraging to see high-quality cooperation between both countries on jointly implementing the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which bears fresh witness to the traditional amity between both countries. The Ministry looks forward to deepening collaboration with the ACC, so as to disseminate positive narratives about the enduring Cambodia-China friendship and mutually beneficial Belt and Road cooperation. At the same time, we must also address the challenges resulted from fake news and misinformation. The Ministry also counted on the ACC's support and assistance in rendering training to the journalists towards enhanced professionalism in Cambodia.

On the same day, Secretary General Shi led a delegation of journalists who participating the ACC flagship project, namely Diversified ASEAN-Familiarization Trip for Chinese Media to Explore ASEAN, on a field visit to Bayon Television, where the group engaged in constructive dialogue with their Cambodian counterparts on ways to enhance cooperation and leverage the strengths of both sides to better serve the building of a Cambodia-China community with a shared future.