CRI听力:China-Africa Public Diplomacy Forum calls for media service cooperation

To boost mutual understanding, the meeting includes three sub-forums that will focus on culture, public welfare, and traditional medicine for representatives from China, Tanzania, South Africa, Ethiopia, and other countries.

Liu Guijin, China's former special representative on African affairs, said grassroots forces can work on diplomatic issues.

"Our communities and NGOs are relatively underdeveloped, which is the short board in developing public diplomacy. Governments should promote, regulate, and guide these forces. If we have communities and individuals involved in public foreign affairs, Africa will better understand China, and China can have a better understanding on Africa. The two sides will no longer have to depend on western press for information."

Liu said media cooperation is important. Both sides need to cover more stories featuring one another's countries.

China Radio International, the forum's joint host, says Africa has always been a key focus for the media source, with respects to media coverage and public relations.

CRI's deputy president Hu Bangsheng called for the press to speak out with the voices of Africa and China when addressing the forum.

"Compared with Europe and the US, Africa and China currently lag behind in the media industry. African and Chinese press must strengthen cooperation to illustrate a just, objective, accurate, comprehensive, and positive image of ourselves. As developing countries we should work together, trying hard to change the biased international communication standards."

Ayubu Rioba, president of Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation, said African press hasn't become capable of telling its own stories, while foreign media's coverage on the continent is often inappropriate.

He added that Africa regards China as a true friend and the two share much in common.

"First, China and Africa have similar historical experience. Both are developing countries now. Second, we have always been working together, fighting against exploitation and oppression. Third, we are both enhancing our economies for the people. Fourth, we develop ourselves with no intention of bullying others. Fifth, we've been helping and supporting each other over a long run. We think Chinese people are our real friends. Our relation is that of true friendship."

Public diplomacy shouldn't stop at the level of abstract concepts, as activists said. Unique local elements must be considered.

Experts on Chinese medicine from northeast China held free clinics during the forum for participants.

For CRI, this is XYee.