Photo: Cui Shixin, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, People's Daily, China

The Eleventh ASEAN Plus Three (10+3) Media Cooperation Forum was held in Kunming, the capital of Southwest China's Yunnan Province, on the afternoon of September 17. Under the theme "Increase Inter-connectivity for Common Development and Shared Benefits," 13 representatives from mainstream media outlets across different countries delivered speeches or keynote speeches centered on this topic. Multiple media guests also engaged in on-site dialogues and exchanges on topics including "Foster New Growth Drivers and Share New Development Opportunities." Cui Shixin, deputy editor-in-chief of the People's Daily, delivered an opening speech titled "Contributing media strength to building an East Asia with interconnected humanistic bonds" at the forum. The following is the full text of the opening speech:

Opening Speech by Cui Shixin, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the People's Daily

At the Eleventh ASEAN Plus Three (10+3) Media Cooperation Forum 

September 17, 2025, Kunming, Yunnan Province

Distinguished guests and media colleagues,

Good afternoon! In the golden autumn season, we gathered in the picturesque spring city of Kunming to attend the Eleventh ASEAN Plus Three (10+3) Media Cooperation Forum with the theme of "Increase Inter-connectivity for Common Development and Shared Benefits." First of all, entrusted by the editorial board of People's Daily, I extend heartfelt thanks on behalf of People's Daily to the the Communist Party of China (CPC) Yunnan Provincial Committee and the People's Government of Yunnan Province, the co-organizers of this conference. At the same time, I also extend a warm welcome and sincere greetings to the media friends from ASEAN member states, Japan and South Korea who have come from afar!

The East Asian region is our common home. It is connected by mountains and rivers, and its civilizations are intertwined. Peace, development and cooperation have always been the common aspirations of the people in the regional countries. At present, changes of historical significance across the world during our times are unfolding in ways like never before. The East Asian region is facing both new development opportunities and complex challenges. Against this background, Chinese President Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out that "we should strengthen coordination in mechanisms such as East Asia cooperation and Lancang-Mekong cooperation so as to ensure more stability for a changing and turbulent world and inject more positive energy in it." Strengthening regional cooperation, enhancing mutual understanding and trust, maintaining regional peace and stability, and promoting common prosperity and development are more important than ever.

Cultural and people-to-people exchange is the most profound and enduring force in promoting connectivity between nations. It transcends institutional differences, reaching deep into people's hearts, and is key to eliminating barriers, enhancing friendship, and strengthening the foundation for cooperation. ASEAN, China, Japan and South Korea have a long historical connection and profound cultural heritage, providing unique advantages for deepening cultural exchange. The People's Daily has previously held 10 sessions of the 10+3 Media Cooperation Forum, achieving rich results and creating a good public opinion atmosphere for promoting 10+3 cooperation. All the friends present here today are well-known media professionals in their respective countries, and also the participants, witnesses and practitioners of 10+3 cooperation. Here, I would like to share the following four initiatives on how to better play the role of media and promote cultural exchanges among ASEAN, China, Japan and South Korea.

First, being a firm defender of peace in East Asia.

Peace is an indispensable prerequisite for development and prosperity. The development achievements that the East Asian region has achieved today are inseparable from the overall peaceful and stable environment. Media should better assume the moral responsibility of maintaining regional peace and stability, serving as an amplifier of the voice of peace in East Asia; vigorously promote the important concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind and carry forward the common values of all mankind; adhere to objective, fair and comprehensive reporting of regional affairs, actively spread the concept of peace, and advocate resolving differences through dialogue and negotiation; deeply explore and tell the vivid stories of the people of East Asian countries helping each other and living in harmony, jointly create a strong public opinion environment that cherishes, maintains and promotes peace, and promote the creation of a bright future of lasting peace and common prosperity in East Asia.

Second, being a strong promoter of development in East Asia.

Development is the master key to solving all problems and the common pursuit of regional countries. East Asia is one of the regions with the most development vitality and potential in the world. Media should focus on the mainstream of development, deeply perceive the pulse of regional development, and meticulously tell the stories of East Asian development; vigorously report on the great achievements and broad prospects of regional economic integration, vividly show the win-win opportunities and fruitful results brought by the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative with the development plans of ASEAN and the comprehensive, in-depth implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP); strengthen classified reporting, and accurately disseminate the successful practices and practical cooperation projects of various countries in the fields of scientific and technological innovation, green development, digital economy, smart cities, poverty alleviation and reduction for different fields and readers, injecting confidence and momentum into regional development; pay attention to people's well-being, reflect the people's aspirations for a better life, build a solid bridge for information exchange, experience sharing and development promotion, and cheer for the common prosperity of East Asia.

Third, being an active communicator of East Asian civilizations.

East Asian civilizations have a long history, are extensive and profound, and feature harmony in diversity. Media is an important platform for cultural inheritance, exchange and mutual learning. We should deeply explore the essence of the cultures of East Asian countries, wonderfully present their rich and colorful historical heritages, artistic treasures, folk customs and profound spiritual values, and actively spread the light of East Asian civilizations; carefully plan and produce high-quality cultural programs, documentaries, special reports and new media products, telling the stories of East Asian civilizations to the domestic public and the world in vivid ways and showing their unique charm and contemporary value; vigorously promote the exchange, mutual learning, joint production and common promotion of excellent cultural products such as film and television works, literary works, art works, music and dance within the region, and actively play the role of cooperation and exchange platforms such as the Media Cooperation Forum on Belt and Road and the Belt and Road News Network. Through the extensive dissemination of the media, we seek to enhance the cognition, understanding, appreciation and respect of the people of various countries for each other's cultures, and consolidate the cultural and people-to-people foundation of the East Asian community with a shared future.

Forth, being a brave pioneer of innovation in East Asia.

In today's era, the information technology revolution is advancing rapidly, profoundly reshaping the media ecology and communication pattern. We must be brave enough to embrace change, be good at using information-based means to empower media cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, and be the pioneers in the innovation wave of East Asia; actively explore the application of new technologies such as big data, cloud computing and artificial intelligence, innovate communication concepts, content forms, narrative methods and communication channels, and improve the accuracy, attractiveness and influence of communication; jointly explore the establishment of a more efficient and intelligent new mechanism for regional media information sharing and collaborative production, and make full use of information-based means to promote the quality and efficiency of cooperation; use new technologies to empower cultural experiences, create immersive and highly interactive digital cultural products, break through the barriers of time and space, and narrow the psychological distance; adhere to the social responsibility and professional ethics of the media, actively use technical means to jointly deal with challenges such as false information, online rumors and algorithmic bias, and strive to create a clean and healthy regional cyberspace, ensuring that technological innovation truly serves the mutual understanding and friendly exchanges among the people of East Asian countries.

Dear colleagues,

News media shoulders the important responsibilities of recording the times, communicating with the world, inspiring thoughts and building consensus. Deepening media cooperation is crucial for enhancing understanding and trust, promoting regional integration and building an East Asian community with a shared future. This forum provides us with a valuable communication platform. Let's take this forum as an opportunity to further build consensus, deepen practical cooperation, and jointly explore new paths for the media to promote peace, development and prosperity in East Asia, tell the stories of East Asian unity and cooperation well with our pens, lenses and wisdom, spread the voice of harmonious co-existence in East Asia well, build the consensus of the East Asian community with a shared future, and contribute the powerful and lasting force of media professionals to promoting humanistic connections among ASEAN, China, Japan and South Korea and building a closer East Asian community with a shared future.

Wishing the Eleventh ASEAN Plus Three (10+3) Media Cooperation Forum a complete success! May all distinguished guests enjoy good health and success in their work!