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  • CMG Hosts “Written in the Sky: My China Story” Release Ceremony in Abuja

    CMG Hosts “Written in the Sky: My China Story” Release Ceremony in Abuja

    By Michael Onjewu, Abuja

    The China Media Group (CMG) hosted a special release ceremony of the global solicitation results, themed “Written in the Sky: My China Story” at the Shehu Musa Yaradua Center in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city.

    This prestigious event celebrated cultural and linguistic exchanges between Nigeria and China, attracting distinguished personalities from various sectors.

    Among the notable attendees were Hon. Jaafaru Yakubu, Yu Dunhai, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Song Jianing, CMG Africa Bureau Chief; Chris Isigusor, the National President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, alongside members of the diplomatic community, business leaders, academic scholars, media executives, and journalists.

    In his remarks, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris emphasized that media outlets are essential in guiding society and fostering mutual understanding.

    Minister Idris, represented by the Director of Public Relations and Protocols, Suleima Haruna commended the China Media Group for its dedication to delivering credible news and producing impactful content for both nations.

    He stressed the need for balance in reporting, particularly in showcasing national achievements, and called for creating inspiring content that fuels aspirations for future growth. He called for a united front in tackling fake news, emphasizing that collaboration between Nigerian and Chinese media is vital in addressing the challenges posed by misinformation.

    Also speaking, Hon. Jaafaru Yakubu said the event serves as a platform to reflect on China’s profound impact on individuals and nations worldwide. He described the “Written in the Sky, My China Story” initiative as a powerful testament to the ability of storytelling to bridge cultural divides.

    Earlier in his remarks, Ambassador Yu Dunhai said the recent elevation of China-Nigeria relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership at the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) aims to enhance cooperation in various sectors, including media, as evidenced by the signing of several bilateral cooperation documents.

    The ceremony also commemorated the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, featuring certificate presentations to CMG Africa partners, cultural performances, keynote speeches, and a display of captivating “My China Story” entries.

    “Written in the Sky: My China Story” is an initiative by CMG that invites submissions of touching stories and special experiences with China. Over 73 individuals from across the African continent responded, sharing their unique China stories.

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  • FG commends CMG’s partnership in combating fake news, misinformation

    FG commends CMG’s partnership in combating fake news, misinformation

    By Michael Onjewu, Abuja

    Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has emphasized the critical role of media collaboration in combating the scourge of fake news, misinformation, and disinformation.

    Idris made the call at the special release ceremony of the global solicitation results themed “Written in the Sky: My China Story” organized by China Media Group (CMG) in Abuja on Tuesday.

    The event, which celebrated cultural and linguistic exchanges between Nigeria and China, attracted distinguished personalities including Hon Jaafaru Yakubu, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Nigeria-China Relations; Yu Dunhai, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria; Song Jianing, CMG Africa Bureau Chief; Chris Isigusor, National President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists; Members of the Diplomatic Community, Business Leaders, Academic Scholars, Media Executives,  and Journalists.

    Minister Idris, who was represented by the Director of Public Relations and Protocols,  Suleima Haruna emphasized that media outlets are essential in guiding society and fostering mutual understanding.

    “They promote progress and contribute to the advancement of societal, economic, and cultural domains,” he said, recognizing the influence of responsible journalism in shaping public perception and encouraging informed discourse.

    Idris commended the China Media Group for its commitment to delivering credible news and producing content that positively impacts both nations. He stressed the need for balance in reporting, particularly in showcasing national achievements, and called for the creation of inspiring content that fuels aspirations for future growth.

    “Advances in technology have enabled the rapid dissemination of information across vast distances,” he noted. “While this presents tremendous opportunities, it also introduces significant challenges, particularly the growing threat of misinformation.”

    He called for a united front in tackling these issues, emphasizing that collaboration between Nigerian and Chinese media is vital in addressing the challenges posed by false narratives.

    The Minister highlighted recent agreements signed during the Forum of China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) that focus on media exchange and collaboration, further solidifying the partnership with CMG. These agreements aim to enhance bilateral relations and foster a deeper understanding between the two nations.

    Earlier in his remarks, Yu Dunhai, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria said the recent elevation of China-Nigeria relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership at the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation  (FOCAC) aims to enhance cooperation in various sectors, including media, as evidenced by the signing of several bilateral cooperation documents.

    Ambassador Yu emphasized the importance of the partnership actions announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the FOCAC opening ceremony. These actions focus on mutual learning, trade prosperity, industrial cooperation, connectivity, and more, aiming to improve the well-being of both Chinese and African people.

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  • CMG Holds Cooperation Forum with African Media Partners

    CMG Holds Cooperation Forum with African Media Partners

     China Media Group (CMG) has set up a new collaboration platform with Africa. The “Our African Partners: CMG Media Cooperation Forum 2021” brings together under one umbrella CMG and African media.

    The event culminated with the issuance by 36 partners of a joint declaration outlining the principles and aspirations of the forum, which include acting as responsible public information disseminators, strengthening and deepening cooperation, and amplifying Chinese and African voices on the global stage.  

    In his opening address, Huang Kunming, head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, urged Chinese and African media to remain objective and impartial, and stand for justice. Both sides in the partnership will continue to treat each other sincerely and enhance people-to-people connection, he assured. Huang emphasized expanding digital benefits through innovation under the partnership.

    Commenting on China-Africa media cooperation amid unprecedented changes in the world, Gregoire Ndjaka, CEO of African Union of Broadcasting, said “it testifies the common desire to appreciate the efforts made in this vast project” and presents the opportunity to start over on a more solid basis.

    Media representatives, policy makers, media and communication scholars from China and more than 40 African countries attended the event which was held both online and offline in Nairobi. CMG president Shen Haixiong and several other chief executives of African state broadcasters were present.

     

    “From the ancient Maritime Silk Road to the Belt and Road Initiative today, China and Africa have been going in the same direction,” Mr. Shen observed in his remarks. 

    On his part, Iqbal Survé, the Chairman of South Africa’s Independent Media, said China’s experience in digital media can help African media bring about better news flow and benefit African people.

     

    “China, we know, is a world leader in the space of online media and online technology. China has played a very important role in showing how technological advancement can work to the benefit of its people,” Survé said, adding: “We in Africa are hungry to emulate that particular example of China and to see how we can use technology in order to bring about better news flow and meet the aspirations of the African people.”

     

    Dr Naim Bilal, the Managing Director of Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, said his organization was looking forward to more cooperation with CMG in technology, content sharing and training. 

    Mallam Yakubu Ibn Mohammed, the Director General of Nigerian Television Authority proposed the setting up of a central video server maintained and funded in partnership for better information and content sharing. 

     

     “Chinese and African media should seize the opportunities of a time of change and tap into potential for cooperation in areas including exchange of content, exchange of staff, and co-production,” Dr Ayub Rioba, the Director General of Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation, said.

     

    In their speeches, Senegalese Minister of Culture and Communication, Abdoulaye Diop; Ambassador Erastus Mwencha, the former Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission and Amin Alhassan, the Director General of Ghana Broadcasting Corporation

    were optimistic the forum will deepen collaboration between CMG and African media on the one hand and, relations between China and Africa on the other.

     

     “One lesson that we witnessed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic is the lack of policy coordination, production and distribution of vaccines and vaccine nationalism. I salute the media for highlighting this serious lacuna. This should be extended to all other areas of human endeavor and must be based on facts and figures,” Mwencha observed.

     

    In the panel discussion, Prof. Peter Kagwanja, the President and Chief Executive of Africa Policy Institute; Dr. David Monyae, the Director of Center for Africa-China Studies at the University of Johannesburg; Dr. Ayub Rioba, the Managing Director of Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation; as well as media experts from China tackled the challenges of imbalance in global information flow, climate change, and a rigged global trading system.

     

    The forum also showcased cooperation projects between CMG and its African media partners, including an agreement on broadcasting Chinese films and TV shows with select African state broadcasters; an agreement between CMG’s Hausa Service and Nigerian media companies setting up a common platform for Hausa-speaking media; and CMG French Service’s media event “Sino-African Kungfu Show”.