On 25 May 2025, the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), in collaboration with China International Communications Group (CICG), hosted the 2025 ASEAN-China Media Cooperation Forum themed “Harnessing the Power of AI to Enhance Communication Cooperation in the Region” in Luoyang City of Henan Province. Secretary General Shi Zhongjun of the ACC, Secretary of State Kem Gunawadh of the Ministry of Information of Cambodia, Deputy Minister Phan Tam of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam, Deputy Secretary-General San Lwin of ASEAN (through video-link), President Du Zhanyuan of CICG, President Guo Weimin of the China Public Relations Association, Jiang Ling, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Henan Provincial People’s Congress and Secretary of the Luoyang Municipal Committee of the CPC attended and addressed the audience. The Forum was participated by around 150 attendees including diplomatic envoys and media professionals from all 10 ASEAN Member States (AMS), representatives of ASEAN Youth Organization and relevant government agencies and media professionals from China.

In his opening remarks, SG Shi Zhongjun highlighted that the ASEAN-China relations has become the most dynamic and fruitful cooperation model in the region. In this time of global uncertainty and instability, the need for ASEAN and China to respond with regional solidarity becomes even more pressing and crucial, with media playing the key role to promote mutual trust and understanding among the peoples.

He stressed that media plays a key role in consolidating regional solidarity. Artificial intelligence is transforming the global media ecosystem with both immense opportunities and complex challenges. He highlighted the challenges with the rapid spread of fake news from the age of AI. The principle of AI as a global public good, media ethics and social responsibilities was emphasized. There are opportunities for ASEAN and China to cooperate in digital infrastructure connectivity, capacity building and AI governance.

Media representatives from AMS and China exchanged perspectives and shared their practices under the topics of “Cooperation to Combat Fake News and Disinformation” and “Responsible Media in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.” They underlined the importance of media ethics, digital literacy and collective actions in the combat of fake news and disinformation as well as the media ethics and responsibilities in the application of AI technologies in today's digital era.

There was also an emphasis on the cultivation of young media talents through exchanges and collaboration as youth play an important role in promoting the friendship between China and ASEAN. 

At this forum, the ACC and CICG jointly launched the “Joint Initiative on Promoting ASEAN-China Media Ecosystem Governance through the Application of Artificial Intelligence Technologies” and “Plan on ASEAN-China New Media Exchange Programme”.