Traditional and Internet-based new media are converging rapidly in China as the government throws support behind media modernization, according to a report issued by Xinhua News Agency on Thursday.
China's major traditional media, including the People's Daily, Xinhua News Agency and China Central Television, have all developed mobile applications, and 52 Chinese newspapers had launched e-commerce businesses as of April, the report said.
Journalists are increasingly using new technology and formats in production and distribution, making their services more interactive and allowing more user-generated content.
Supporting traditional and new media convergence is high on the agenda of China's leadership. In August 2014, the central leading group for deepening overall reform headed by President Xi Jinping, adopted a guideline establishing media convergence as a national strategy.
The report said the principal issue for this official drive is how to build novel communication patterns through new technology and channels.
It was released at a Xinhua workshop attended by Wang Zhongwei, deputy secretary-general of the State Council; Shen Haixiong, Xinhua's vice president; as well as nearly 80 academics and representatives from Internet businesses and media organizations.
