Name: Robert Lawrence Kuhn, Chairman, The Kuhn Foundation

Title: Explaining the Belt and Road Initiative via the Five Major Development Concepts

Abstract

The dialogue between civilizations relies on spiritual communications that transcend regions and ethnic groups. It cannot be realized without news media in the world that set up a bridge for communications. The roles and missions of news media in the Belt and Road Initiative are as follows:

First, news media should be a good explainer of the Belt and Road Initiative

The Belt and Road Initiative has aroused heated discussion including dissenting voices. The fact that the initiative has received active response and participation from many countries shows most of the developing countries along the route have gotten out of the mire of confusion and embarked on a development road that suits their own conditions, so as to make the world restore its diversification.

News media in countries along the route should follow the general trend in the world and not be disturbed by noises in order to tell the stories about the Belt and Road and air the voices of the time with principles of “equality, cooperation, openness, wide consultation, joint construction and shared benefits” at its core.

Second, news media should conduct a publicity campaign for the Belt and Road Initiative

Since the Belt and Road Initiative was launched three years ago, over 100 countries and international organizations have participated in it. China has signed cooperation agreements with over 30 countries to jointly develop the Belt and Road. China has launched international cooperation in production capacity with more than 20 countries. The United Nations and other international organizations have showed their positive attitudes toward the initiative. Western scholars have acknowledged in their books that the Belt and Road regions accounted the earth’s axis of rotation. What lively materials and splendid chapters for news media in countries along the route!

Third, news media should promote the Belt and Road media cooperation and exchanges

News media from Asian and European countries along the Belt and Road should strengthen cooperation in content and resource sharing, personnel exchanges, and

training. They should join hands to develop new technology, new applications, and build new platforms for cooperation. They should co-host internet forums, media associations, and interview events to promote connections with people and connect industries. In this way, news media will serve as the glue that holds together the market and the people, and help more countries and enterprises benefit from the construction of the Belt and Road.

Fourth, news media should guide people-to-people exchanges

The good relationship between countries relies on the intimacy of their peoples. News media from the countries and regions along the Belt and Road should follow the trend of media integration, make joined efforts, set proactive agendas, and organize engagement events online and offline. They should pool wisdom to make concentrated efforts and usher in a new era for the Belt and Road Initiative.

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