A senior official stressed media's role in promoting the "Belt and Road" Initiative at a media cooperation forum in Beijing on Monday.
A total of 140 media agencies from more than 60 countries and organizations, officials from regions involved in the initiative, as well as business representatives attended the forum to discuss international communication and cooperation on the initiative.
The forum was hosted by the People's Daily, covering issues such as how the initiative will promote the development of countries involved under the existing framework and mechanisms, and whether there are new ways for different media agencies to share information in order to better present different views and perspectives.
"The initiative encourages regional cooperation. Although some governments and officials in countries involved in the initiative are familiar with the program, their people know little about it," Wang Jiarui, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and head of the CPC International Department, said at the forum.
Wang said that media has played an important role in spreading the word on the initiative worldwide, expanding consensus and deepening understanding.
Wang added that the forum can strengthen understanding among different media organizations and make them assume a greater role in the initiative.
An anonymous reporter from a Moscow-based magazine told the Global Times on Monday that "the forum is a good opportunity to learn more about China and the initiative."
Russia and China should have more communication on media, he said.
