The opening ceremony of the 2023 Beijing International Media Forum kicked off on Oct. 14, attracting more than 100 media representatives from over 60 countries and regions. Functioning as a sideline event for the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, the forum focused on "Mutual Learning among Civilizations for Common Prosperity – Protection and Utilization of World Cultural Heritage." It aimed to spotlight Beijing as the national culture center while presenting a China that is credible, appealing, and respectable.

Media guests pose for a group photo at the 2023 Beijing International Media Forum opening ceremony at Beijing Friendship Hotel, Oct. 14, 2023. [Photo courtesy of the Information Office of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality]

Wu Xu, a council member of the All-China Journalists Association, underscored the importance of media cooperation in her welcome speech. She stated that international media exchange and cooperation would be an essential channel and path to promote mutual understanding and closeness among people from different countries. Additionally, it will jointly propel the development and progress of human civilization.

Chen Yuming, vice president of the China Public Diplomacy Association, conveyed that world cultural heritage epitomizes the essence of diverse cultures and civilizations. It acts as a mesmerizing calling card that displays nations' unique cultural landscapes and profound connotations, while media platforms function as crucial conduits for cultural communication and exchange.

Xu Hejian, deputy director of the Publicity Department of the Beijing Municipal Committee and director of the Information Office of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality, championed Beijing's cultural development and advocated for media cooperation to promote mutual learning among civilizations.

Xu said Beijing is committed to maximizing its strengths as a historical ancient capital and national cultural center, fostering stronger humanistic exchanges with global communities, and providing broader platforms and channels for international cooperation in cultural exchange. He pointed out that through the media, a consensus of cooperation and win-win development will be disseminated, echoing the melody of mutual learning among civilizations and promoting the progress of human civilization toward a shared future of common prosperity.

Xu also announced the Joint Initiative of the Beijing International Media Forum. The joint initiative calls on all parties to protect the diversity of civilizations through exchanges and mutual learning, advocate the shared values of humanity through understanding and tolerance, practice cultural inheritance and innovation by preserving legacies and breaking new ground, and facilitate dialogue and collaboration among civilizations through means of win-win cooperation.

The Joint Initiative of Beijing International Media Forum is launched at the 2023 Beijing International Media Forum opening ceremony, Oct. 14, 2023. [Photo courtesy of the Information Office of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality]

Numerous forum attendees, including executives from prominent institutions, imparted their perspectives on exchanges between civilizations and confidence in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Hoda Mohamed, deputy editor-in-chief of Rose Alyoussef Magazine in Egypt, said, "China has given us a precious gift, which is the co-building of the BRI. This initiative is dedicated to promoting exchanges among people from different countries and paving the way for cooperation in various fields such as tourism, cultural exchange, and other areas that foster mutual understanding among individuals."

The 2023 Beijing International Media Forum organized a series of activities for international media guests, including visits to cultural heritage sites like the Summer Palace, the Grand Canal, and the Temple of Heaven, as well as attendance at a performance of Kunqu, an intangible cultural heritage form.

The Beijing International Media Forum, initiated by the Beijing Municipal Government to facilitate media exchanges and mutual understanding among international cities, was co-founded in May 2018 by the All-China Journalists Association and the China Public Diplomacy Association. It was successfully held in 2018 and 2019, becoming a signature event that promotes international media cooperation and facilitates humanistic exchanges.

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