Joint Media Statement of the Second Conference of
China-ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information
(Beijing, 15 September 2010)

To deepen the China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity and strengthen exchanges and cooperation between China and ASEAN countries in the information sector, the Second Conference of China-ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information was held in Beijing on 15 September. Ministers responsible for information or their representatives from China and ten ASEAN countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam), senior officials from the ASEAN Secretariat and representatives from relevant departments of the Chinese government and media organizations attended the conference. Under the theme of "Enhancing Information Exchanges and Building Mutually Beneficial and Win-Win Regional Relationship", participants held extensive discussions on strengthening China-ASEAN exchanges and cooperation in the information sector.

Participants noted that next year will mark the 20th anniversary of the launch of dialogue partnership between China and ASEAN. Over the past two decades, thanks to sustained efforts of China and ASEAN countries, the two sides have enjoyed stronger political mutual trust, fruitful trade and economic cooperation, intensified cultural exchanges, sound coordination and support in international and regional affairs, as well as closer collaboration in many other sectors. In the course of the development of China-ASEAN friendly and cooperative relations, media has been active in distributing information, dispelling doubts and enhancing mutual understanding and friendship, thus playing an important role for the sustained, sound and in-depth development of China-ASEAN relations and the internal communication, coordination and the integration process ofASEAN.

Participants stressed the view that China is the largest developing country in the world and ASEAN is one of the emerging regions with the strongest economic vitality and potential globally. China and ASEAN both face serious topics of enhancing political mutual trust and maintaining peace in Asia, daunting tasks of eliminating poverty and pursuing economic growth, as well as challenges and pressure brought by an unfair and inequitable international order. At present, while the world economy is gradually recovering from the international financial crisis, the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area has been fully established, and the China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity is growing in strength. In this context, departments responsible for information in China and ASEAN countries should playa bigger role and work harder to foster a media environment conducive to peace and deVelopment.

Participants made the commitment that China and ASEAN countries will give full play to the role of competent government departments in advancing exchanges and cooperation in the information sector, facilitating visits, exchanges and training of media professionals and government officials responsible for information, conducting media interviews and cooperating on program exchanges, production, distribution, broadcasting and circulation of film and television products. The two sides will hold frequent consultations and dialogues regarding radio and TV broadcasting, media policies and the development of emerging media technologies including the Internet and mobile phones. Participants pledged to create a favorable media environment for a stronger friendship and cooperation between China and ASEAN countries.

Participants believed that the Second Conference of China-ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information was a great success in that it has achieved the goal of deepening pragmatic cooperation between China and ASEAN in the information sector for mutual benefit and win-win progress and that the conference has produced encouraging outcomes. It was agreed that this conference has provided an important platform for furthering China-ASEAN traditional friendship, enriched relations between the two sides and will contribute to the spread of visions of peace, development, win-win cooperation and inclusiveness by Chinese and ASEAN media organizations, progress of the China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity and a better future for the region.