On 18 January 2018, ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) organized the Media Familiarization Trip to Sina.com and China Central Television(CCTV). Officials in charge of media affairs from Embassies of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, and journalists from Antara News Agency of Indonesia, the Star of Malaysia, and Lianhe Zaobao of Singapore participated in the event.

The delegation visited Sina Plaza and had a discussion with the management and editors of the Sina News and Sina Global. Mr. Vithit Powattanasuk, Director of Information and Public Relations Division of ACC, introduced the delegation and stated that 2018 marks the ASEAN-China Year of Innovation. Since both sides’ media have solid foundations for cooperation, ACC, as a one-stop information and activities centre, would make new efforts to promote media cooperation between both sides. Ms.Wang Wei, Deputy Chief Editor of Sina News, warmly welcomed the delegation. She appreciated ACC’s arrangements and mentioned about strengthening cooperation with ASEAN counterparts. Ms. Wen Jing, Senior Reporter of Sina Global, gave a brief introduction to Sina Global’s development process and brand programmes. The officials from Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand, and the journalist from Lianhe Zaobao raised several questions concerning how to utilize and authenticate the news of we-media as well as how to better promote AESAN countries through Chinese social media. Both sides also exchanged views on potential activities, for instance, content sharing and interviews with ambassadors.

At CCTV headquarter, the delegation visited the grand lobby hall, 2000-square-metres studio and TV channel operation. Mr. Hua Dong, the producer of CCTV Chinese International Channel, gave an overview of their work of and its cooperation with ASAEN media. The delegation has an opportunity to observe the live broadcasting of CCTV 4 on the press conference held by State Information Office.

All the participated ASEAN officials and journalists respectively thanked ACC for offering such good opportunity to visit Sina and CCTV. They stated that both Sina and CCTV are among the most influential media of China. The media exchanges and cooperation between ASEAN and China are conducive to promoting ASEAN-China relations, pushing forward bilateral practical cooperation and enhancing mutual understanding of both sides. This visit helped them deepen their understanding on the dynamism of Chinese’s new media. Thus, they would continue to seek closer contacts and explore new cooperation with Sina and CCTV so as to make joint contributions to the in-depth and all-around development of ASEAN-China relations.