Asia-Pacific news agencies seek cooperation to tackle global changes, tech challenges
During the two-day event, representatives of member news agencies will hold in-depth discussions on how news agencies can respond to global changes and technological challenges.
Dmitry Peskov, press secretary of Russian president, read out Russian President Vladimir Putin's congratulatory letter to the conference at the opening ceremony. Putin noted that currently, objective and timely information is vital for enhancing mutual trust and understanding among countries and their peoples.
As the world's largest alliance of news agencies, OANA has long played a significant role in global news dissemination. He said that he hopes this conference, through constructive exchanges, would explore and formulate promising cooperation projects, pushing mutually beneficial cooperation to a new level.
In his opening remarks, Fu Hua, president of Xinhua News Agency, pointed out that the Asia-Pacific region is the locomotive driving economic globalization, the hub of world economic growth, the anchor of global development and stability, and a highland for cooperation, with an important role in addressing global challenges.
Xinhua calls on news agencies in the Asia-Pacific region to join hands to enhance mutual trust, advocate inclusiveness, promote cooperation, and contribute to win-win outcomes, Fu said.
Fu said that Xinhua will earnestly perform its duties, deepen partnership with member organizations, and well establish and utilize multilateral mechanisms like the World Media Summit, the Global South Media and Think Tank Forum and the China-Central Asia News Agency Forum to jointly write a new chapter in news agencies' exchange and development.
Andrey Kondrashov, director general of Russia's TASS news agency, said that the world is in a critical period of profound transformation and information environment transition, with cyber threats and disinformation testing the public trust in media.
In-depth exchanges and cooperation among Asia-Pacific news agencies, along with joint exploration of new technologies such as AI and big data to drive media industry transformation, will not only bolster their own development but also hold significant importance for safeguarding regional and global security and prosperity, he added.
Melissa Fleming, UN under-secretary-general for global communications, said in a video address that the current world is volatile, and news organizations and practitioners are facing multiple severe challenges, making strengthened media dialogue and exchanges particularly crucial.
She expressed her hope that while abiding by journalistic ethics, media outlets around the world can provide global audience with more valuable and positive news information.
Vu Viet Trang, general director of Vietnam News Agency, told Xinhua that the world is changing rapidly, with technological transformation advancing at an unprecedented pace. As important sources of information, news agencies need to enhance efficiency of information delivery through technological innovation while ensuring the accurate and timely transmission of information, she said.
The Asia-Pacific region is playing an increasingly prominent role on the international stage, and regional news agencies should voice more strongly on regional and international issues, she said, noting that this is the common mission shouldered by news agencies in the Asia-Pacific region.
Dzhaldinov Askar Muratovich, deputy director of the Kazakhstan President's TV and Radio Complex, said as global news media face multiple common challenges, cooperation and exchanges offer opportunities to tackle these challenges. News organizations should not only fulfill their responsibilities in information dissemination, but also actively influence social development and policymaking, he added.
During the conference, the delegates visited an OANA photo exhibition, where Xinhua News Agency's photographic works were on display.
OANA consists of 41 news agencies from 33 countries and has its origin in the Organization of Asian News Agencies established in Thailand in December 1961.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
12 minutes ago
- The Star
Australians more anxious about Trump tariffs than China, poll shows
FILE PHOTO: A Chemist Warehouse store in Sydney, Australia, on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. While Australia received the minimum 10 per cent levy on its exports to the US, it could still be in the firing line for sectoral tariffs on industries such as pharmaceuticals. - Bloomberg CANBERRA: Australians are more worried about the Trump administration's protectionist trade policies than China's military buildup in the Asia-Pacific region, a new opinion poll showed. Some 42 per cent of respondents named US tariffs as their top concern compared with 37 per cent who cited the strategic threat from China, according to a Newspoll published Monday (Aug 18) in The Australian. A further 21 per cent said neither bothered them, the survey conducted Aug. 11-14 for the newspaper showed. It had a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points. While Australia received the minimum 10 per cent levy on its exports to the US, it could still be in the firing line for sectoral tariffs on industries such as pharmaceuticals. More generally, it is heavily exposed to global trade as an export-reliant nation and could also see blowback on import duties from its largest trading partner, China. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese undertook a six-day visit to China last month that included meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing. While there, he focussed heavily on boosting business and trade ties, sidestepping thornier issues around US-China competition, Taiwan and Beijing's military assertiveness. University-educated voters were more worried about US tariffs than China's military expansion, according to the survey. The results were more evenly split for those without university education, it said On local politics, Newspoll showed Albanese's Labour Party leading the centre-right coalition 56 to 44 per cent, slightly up on the May 3 election result that delivered Labour 94 seats in the 150-member parliament. The prime minister's net satisfaction rating also turned positive for the first time since September 2023, it showed. - Bloomberg
The Star
43 minutes ago
- The Star
Hong Kong democrat Jimmy Lai given heart monitor for final stretch of marathon trial
FILE PHOTO: Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai pauses during an interview in Hong Kong on July 1, 2020. - AP HONG KONG: Hong Kong pro-democracy businessman Jimmy Lai was provided with medication and a heart monitor for the start of his final submissions in a landmark national security trial, following health concerns over heart palpitations. Lai, 77, who founded the Apple Daily newspaper that was forced to close after a police raid and asset freeze in June 2021, has pleaded not guilty to two charges of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces, and a charge of conspiracy to publish seditious material. Lai's lawyer Robert Pang told the court last Friday (Aug 15) that Lai had some episodes where he felt that he was collapsing and had heart "palpitations", prompting the court to adjourn proceedings and order that he be provided with a heart monitor and medication. Prosecutor Anthony Chau confirmed that Lai had been provided with these items on Friday and that he was now fit for court. Lai, noticeably thinner than when the trial began in late 2023, was dressed in a white jacket in the glass dock and pressed his palms together in a prayer gesture several times to his family and supporters. One of the judges, Esther Toh, said additional breaks could be provided for Lai if need be, while also acknowledging the opinion of a medical expert who examined Lai that he was "physically and mentally fit for court." "I'm worried for him. He's already in his 70s and has diabetes, and now palpitations," said Lucille, a supporter who queued for hours to get into the packed courtroom. Lai, a British citizen, has been held in solitary confinement for around 1,700 days. His son and some rights groups have expressed fear over his deteriorating health. Some Western governments have called for Lai's immediate release and raised concerns about the erosion of fundamental rights in the financial hub under China-imposed national security laws. Hong Kong and Chinese authorities have said Lai is being given a fair trial and have warned against such interference in the city's internal affairs. US President Donald Trump said in a media interview last week that he would "do everything I can to save him." An Australian foreign affairs spokesperson told Reuters on Monday that Canberra was "deeply concerned by Hong Kong's widespread application of national security laws to repress civil society and prosecute pro-democracy advocates... such as Jimmy Lai". - Reuters
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
European leaders to support Zelenskiy in Washington as Trump pushes Ukraine deal
LONDON/KYIV/WASHINGTON: European leaders will accompany Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in talks with US President Donald Trump, aiming to strengthen Kyiv's position as Washington pushes for a swift peace agreement to end Europe's deadliest conflict in decades. Trump has urged Zelenskiy to negotiate a settlement after aligning more closely with Moscow's stance during recent discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. The Ukrainian and US leaders will hold a bilateral meeting on Monday before being joined by European officials for broader talks, according to a source familiar with the plans. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned of continued bloodshed if peace efforts fail, stating, 'If peace is not going to be possible here and this is just going to continue on as a war, people will continue to die by the thousands.' Trump claimed significant progress in discussions with Russia in social media posts but did not provide specifics, while suggesting Zelenskiy could end the war quickly by abandoning ambitions to reclaim Crimea or join NATO. Sources indicate Moscow has proposed withdrawing from small occupied areas in exchange for Ukraine ceding fortified eastern territories and freezing front lines elsewhere. Russia's envoy to international organisations, Mikhail Ulyanov, stated that any peace deal must include security guarantees for both Ukraine and Russia. Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff revealed that Russia had tentatively agreed to an Article 5-like defence pact for Ukraine, though Kyiv remains sceptical given past broken assurances. German, French, and British leaders convened on Sunday to reinforce support for Zelenskiy, emphasising that territorial discussions must involve Ukraine and include strong security provisions. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other EU leaders will attend the Washington talks, seeking to prevent a repeat of Trump's public criticism of Zelenskiy in February. A joint statement from Britain, France, and Germany pledged post-war security assistance, including potential reassurance forces and support for Ukraine's military reconstruction. Zelenskiy welcomed the European backing, stressing that any security guarantees must be practical and developed with European involvement. Rubio acknowledged potential concessions from both sides but warned of further consequences for Russia if negotiations fail. Putin has briefed allies Belarus and Kazakhstan on the Alaska talks, while Trump has repeatedly asserted that Ukraine should compromise due to Russia's military superiority. – Reuters
