Beijing: Pakistan and China have agreed to further enhance ties and joint broadcasting projects between their state broadcasters to effectively tackle fake news and disinformation.
An understanding to this effect came at a meeting between Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and Deputy Head of the Publicity Department of CPC Central Committee, Minister and Party Secretary of the National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) China, Cao Shumin in Beijing.
Both the leaders also agreed on a joint narrative against fake news and emphasized technical training and institutional collaboration.
They described the ongoing partnership in the media as a reflection of mutual trust and longstanding friendship.
Talks were also held on a proposed agreement between China Central Television (CCTV) and Pakistan Television (PTV) to promote exchange of information and cooperation.
The Information Minister said under this agreement, both institutions will enhance collaboration in news, documentaries, training material and technical assistance.
The Information Minister said Pakistan is ready to translate bilateral media cooperation into practical steps.
He said PTV, Radio Pakistan and Associated Press of Pakistan are playing a crucial role in effectively communicating stories of China’s development, the Belt and Road Initiative, CPEC, cultural ties, and mutual cooperation to the people of both countries.
Attaullah Tarar said PTV is building intellectual and cultural bridges between the two nations by broadcasting Chinese programs, documentaries and news reports in Urdu. He said APP’s China News Service has crossed a significant milestone in effectively conveying Pakistan’s narrative to Chinese readers.
He said media organizations of both Pakistan and China are acting as a bridge to bring people closer, promote societal understanding and enhance mutual harmony.
He said there are further opportunities for cooperation in the fields of media and culture, which can be advanced through active institutional mechanisms.
Referring to the recent Pakistan-India tensions, the Information Minister said the youth of China and Pakistan expressed strong solidarity with each other, which went viral on social media.
The meeting also discussed exchange visits of digital influencers from both Pakistan and China.
Attaullah Tarar said in the digital age, exchanges between influencers and social media representatives of both countries can inject new energy into bilateral relations.
Cao Shumin said China considers Pakistan a trustworthy partner. She said media organizations of Pakistan and China can come closer through exchange of experiences.
Both sides agreed that media, culture, and people-to-people relations can introduce new dimensions to the Pakistan-China friendship, and these efforts will be further strengthened under a joint strategy.
