媒体在国家关系建设的枢纽作用

Speaking at a 2-day meeting discussing the media's role in the Sino-US relationship, former vice chair of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, Cheng Siwei, says in order to build a new type of major-country relationship, the foremost thing is to increase exchanges between the two countries.

Saying that, Cheng says the media has a pivotal role to play.

"We should acknowledge that there are common interests as well as differences between our two countries. But we should also strive to increase our common interests and reduce our differences. The media has a pivotal role to play in this process."

In making the comments, he says the U.S. media should not be looking at China through colored glasses.

The comments are being echoed by Robert McFarlane, a former national security advisor to President Reagon.

"Try to pause each day and think about the context, how difficult your reporting has been to achieve, the stress on the leaders involved, the risks, both politically and financially, in terms of social unrest. Be grateful that you're a journalist. Be honest, truthful."

Patrick Ho, Secretary General of the China Energy Fund Committee, says he hopes hopes the two-day Sino-US media conference will provide an opportunity for media professionals from both countries to discuss ways of promoting world peace and prosperity. 

"In this information age, we're witnessing one of the most important revolutions that had profoundly reshaped the world. With our interests so entwined, we rise and fall together, friends and enemies alike."

Xiaohong, CRI, Washington DC.