KUALA LUMPUR: National news agencies Bernama and Xinhua have kicked off Malaysia and China's 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations with an upgrade in media cooperation.
Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai said it was a good early start to next year's celebrations.
“Today’s renewal of the agreement between Bernama and Xinhua signifies more than a mere extension of the wire service; it opens doors for content exchange that aligns seamlessly with our evolution into broadcast and digital media.
“In this spirit of collaboration, I extend sincere hope that Xinhua will utilise our content to showcase the opportunities awaiting Chinese investors in Malaysia and to highlight the achievements of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, a newsmaker on the international stage,” he said in his welcoming speech at the signing ceremony held at Wisma Bernama here on Monday (Dec 18).
The agreement was signed by Bernama editor-in-chief Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and Xinhua’s Asia-Pacific regional bureau director Wang Jinfu.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil and Chinese Embassy's Minister in Malaysia Zheng Xuefang.
Also present were Communications Ministry deputy secretary-general (Strategic Communication and Creative Industry) Nik Kamaruzaman Nik Husin and Xinhua vice president Zhu Haili.
Wong said the collaboration between Bernama and Xinhua began on Dec 14, 1985, with the signing of their inaugural news exchange agreement.
In retrospect, he said, "this partnership has not only weathered the test of time but also evolved into a beacon of journalistic excellence".
He also said Bernama, since its inception, recognised the importance of providing balanced, unbiased coverage of international news, shedding light on the challenges faced by developing nations.
“We strategically engaged with like-minded counterparts and regional news groups, such as the Organisation of Asia Pacific News Agencies (OANA). This journey led us to forge a pivotal partnership with Xinhua,” he said.
He also said Xinhua’s vast resources, with more than 180 bureaus worldwide, have been instrumental in enabling Bernama to offer credible and diverse news coverage alongside other esteemed media partners.
“Beyond global news, coverage of events within China is of great importance to Bernama. As China ascends as a new economic superpower and a prominent player on the global stage, the first-hand information provided by Xinhua is eagerly sought by both us (Bernama) and our audience in Malaysia,” added Wong.
Wong also stressed that Bernama not only disseminates Xinhua’s stories to its audience but also gains invaluable insights into China’s policies and stances on various global issues through its comprehensive news reports.
“We firmly believe Xinhua offers a truthful narrative on the Chinese government, free from the biases sometimes prevalent in Western media,” he added.
Western media had largely shaped the global information landscape, with concerns about Cold War propaganda and biased narratives looming large, he added.
Meanwhile, in his welcoming address, Xinhua's Wang said he was glad to come to Malaysia this year, the 10th anniversary of the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Malaysia.
He said Xinhua has maintained good communication and cooperation with Bernama and other Malaysian media outlets, and has played an important role in enhancing mutual understanding between the two countries' peoples and deepening their friendship.
“Xinhua is willing to work with the Malaysian media in covering various fields between the two countries, and to create a positive atmosphere for the upcoming 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations,” he added.
He said in recent years, Xinhua has kept pace with the ever-changing media development trends and built the first intelligent editorial department in the global media sphere, a self-production intelligent video gathering and editing system called “Media Brain”, the world’s first artificial intelligence news anchor.
As a global pioneer in media technology innovation, he said Xinhua also delivers drone-borne news, satellite news, VR news, 3D animation news and other innovative products.
“Xinhua would like to expand cooperation with Bernama and other Malaysian media outlets in new media services and jointly explore ways to promote media convergence,” he added.
He also highlighted that Bernama chairman Wong visited China at the beginning of this month for the 5th World Media Summit and exchanged views with the media from various countries on innovation and development.
“Xinhua is willing to increase communication with Malaysian media professionals through bilateral and multilateral platforms, enhance mutual understanding and promote deeper cooperation,” he added. – Bernama
