ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Information & Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan has said that Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) are reshaping the geo-economic landscape and bringing prosperity not only for Pakistan but shared development for the entire region.
“BRI is the future of the region,” the Special Assistant said while addressing the International Conference on “Cross-Regional Media Fusion among the Belt and Road Partners” in Islamabad on Tuesday as the Chief Guest.
Dr Firdous dilated on the significance of media fusion of BRI States, and said that the Chinese President Xi Jinping’s vision of BRI is a harbinger of new era of connectivity and will bridge the gap between North and South.
The Special Assistant said that sustainable progress is being made in the CPEC project and emphasis is being made on socioeconomic development and agriculture sector.
Firdous Ashiq Awan said that CPEC has created 20,000 scholarships for the students of Pakistan and 1,000 schools will be developed under this project. She said that scope of CPEC has been broadened to benefit the people of Pakistan.
Dr Firdous appreciated the positive role of media in Pakistan to eliminate the negative propaganda against CPEC.
In addition, she said that organization of such Conferences and Discussion Forums is the major way to exterminate such misconceptions.
The Conference was organized by the Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), and was addressed by prominent international speakers with media background from Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, Iran, Kyrgyz Republic, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan who provided valuable insight regarding the topic.
Earlier in the outset, the President CGSS Major General (retd) Syed Khalid Amir Jaffery made the opening remarks in which he said that BRI is a comprehensive project to promote regional connectivity.
The Deputy Chief of Mission at the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad Madam Pang Chunxue said that China is the engine of economic growth and has brought more opportunities for shared development for all partners. China is building a new model that features no conflict, rejects cold war, power politics and creates win-win situation for all. China has promoted peaceful diplomacy and cooperation that aims at building a world with shared prosperity. In a nutshell, peace and stability is the need of the time and BRI is important to achieve this goal. BRI will cut the global cost on trade.
The Chief Editor UZREPORT (Tashkent) Ismailov Muzaffar presented his views on Uzbekistan’s new strategy of development through media integration. He stated that Uzbekistan is working diligently for media development and many new government and private channels have been launched with the objective to create awareness among the masses regarding the real facts of the BRI project. The main focus is to promote useful information and discuss it from methodological point of view.
The Senior Correspondent at Azerbaijan State News Agency (Baku) Shahin Jafarov stated that BRI is not only a financial project but is also a cultural project that helps in connecting different communities and promotes regional integration and mutual cooperation. He stated that we have gained infrastructural achievements through BRI and have established six new international airports.
The CEO of X20 (PVT) Ltd. Asad Inam stated that Asia in the past had no comparison with the other continents but through China’s initiative of BRI, Asia is now considered as the biggest economies in the world. All this progress that has been made can be promoted through media. Advertising can play a very vital role for BRI. He stated that interaction must be developed on the government level and international markets must be established to promote regional cooperation.
The Journalist at Publishing House “Belarus Today” (Minsk) Uladzislau Sychevich in his speech highlighted the strategic importance of Belarus. He stated that geographical position of Belarus is very significant for BRI. In 2016, media international forum was established to promote exchange of information and cooperation. BRI is the key to regional transformation. He stated that Belaurs24 is being broadcasted in 100 countries of the world and telecasts positive news in the BRI information sphere.
The Ambassador at the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Akbar Gasemi stressed upon Iran’s strategic partnership with Beijing, He stated that we are experiencing international regional development in its critical condition. Pakistan has decisive role being a regional actor for security and development. Media has its constructive role to promote exclusive cooperation in west and Asian region.
The Director General China at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad Mudassar Tipu highlighted the regional cooperation through the platform of Media. He stated that CPEC is a priority project. Pakistan’s media is very vibrant but we must make sure that the news that is being reported is objective and not false. We believe that CPEC is a guaranteed progress initiative and will bring a qualitative shift for Pakistan’s image.
Likewise, the Chairperson Strategic Policy Planning Cell (SPPC) at Prime Minister Secretariat in Islamabad Dr Moeed Yusuf, who was the Guest of the Honor in the Second Session of the Conference, stated that BRI must not be observed on infrastructural basis rather it must be analyzed in terms of connectivity. Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision is based on economic diplomacy through integration with global market. South Asia is the least integrated region in the world. BRI is the key pillar in establishing people to people contact. Acceptance and celebration of diversity is the need of the time and information sharing platforms must be developed regarding the BRI project.
The Deputy Director General & General Secretary at New Media Research Center, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) (Beijing) Dr Hunag Chu-xin presented recommendations on how to deeply integrate media of different regions. He stated that we must make better use of different cooperation platforms in the aspect of more targeted news convergence and distribution and video programs production.
The Deputy Editor at The Sunday Times (Colombo) Noorul Ameen Izzadeen while representing Sri Lanka presented insight on the inter linkages between media industry to strengthen China – Sri Lanka alliance. He stated that BRI is playing a very positive role in promotion and enhancement of bilateral and multilateral relations, promotion of justice, shared values and cooperation. He stated that more awareness must be created regarding BRNN amongst the BRI partners as very less people knows about it. China is the biggest trading partner of Sri Lanka and also the largest donor which will be further enhanced through BRI.
The Expert from President Press Service (Bishkek) Adilet Adenisov presented speech on Belt and Road Initiative and opportunities through media exchange. He stated that BRI aims to improve economy of more than 60 countries. BRI covers almost the 75% population of the world and wide range of area is now joined by BRI.
Qanoatullo Saifulloev of “Khovar” New Agency (Dushanbe) stated that the goal of BRI is integrated common development. Revival of new Silk Road has created a new phase in the Tajikistan and China relations. Imperative points for Tajikistan is improvement of the transit, construction of highways, tunnels and multilateral cooperation.
The Director General at External Publicity Wing in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (Islamabad) Saeed Javed stated that BRI is increasing the growth potential of approximately 4.6 billion people contributing 61% of the world’s population. BRI is essential for promoting trade and business linkages and absorption of immense resources. BRI is boosting regional cooperation and transportation system. Pakistani media consists almost hundreds of TV channels and thousands of trade publications, therefore electronic media is essential to convey factual information regarding BRI initiative.
