Media leaders adopt Shenzhen Consensus to boost Asia-Pacific cooperation

More than 400 media representatives from over 40 countries and regions have adopted the Shenzhen Consensus, pledging to promote openness, innovation and digital transformation as drivers of prosperity and stronger cooperation across the Asia-Pacific region.

The consensus was unveiled yesterday (5 September) at the Asia-Pacific Media Forum (APMF), held at the Qianhai International Convention Center in Shenzhen, China.

The signatories committed to safeguarding the multilateral trading system and strengthening coverage of regional integration efforts, including the proposed Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific and measures to stabilise industrial supply chains.

Themed "Building a Path to Shared Prosperity for the Asia-Pacific Community: Media Consensus and Action", the forum called for greater media cooperation, mutual trust and regional integration amid rapid digital transformation and growing communication challenges.

The forum also serves as a prelude to the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, which Shenzhen will host in November this year.

"We believe that an informed society, supported by professional and responsible media, is an important foundation for inclusive development and constructive regional cooperation," said Prak Thaveak Amida, Under-Secretary of State at Cambodia's Ministry of Information.

Cambodian officials urged the region's media organisations to uphold "truth over sensationalism, dialogue over division, and shared progress over narrow interests".

Partnership programme launched

At the opening ceremony, 16 founding organisations from China and other countries jointly established the Organising Committee of the Asia-Pacific Media Partnership Programme.

The founding members include Xinhua News Agency, Malaysia's Bernama, Indonesia's Antara News Agency, Russia's TASS, Vietnam News Agency and Peru's Andina News Agency, among others.

Bernama chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin said the initiative would strengthen ties and strategic cooperation among news agencies in the region.

"Through this participation, Bernama will have the opportunity to exchange experiences and perspectives on various matters related to media and journalism," she said.

CNN Senior Vice President Konstantinos Oikonomou said the diversity of the Asia-Pacific region "should not be seen as an obstacle" but "can be a source of strength".

He added that although Europe and Asia may approach certain issues from different perspectives, "this makes engagement more important, not less".

Training and technology initiatives

The forum also launched the "Gather in Shenzhen, Create a Better Asia-Pacific" Media Cooperation Initiative, featuring three major projects.

These include technology sharing through the Asia-Pacific Digital and Smart Media Shenzhen Center, content co-creation under the "Witness Miracles, Seek Solutions" programme, and the APMP 100 training project, which will train 100 media professionals from across the region in 2026.

A Science and Technology Innovation Achievement Exhibition held alongside the forum featured more than 30 companies from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, showcasing developments in intelligent media technology, embodied AI, smart cities and smart living.

APEC China Year

This year marks the APEC "China Year", with around 300 APEC-related meetings and events scheduled across several Chinese cities under the theme "Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together".

In a keynote speech, Li Shulei, head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said: "Looking ahead, China's door to the outside world will only open wider and wider. The Chinese path to modernization will offer the world more opportunities for cooperation and development".

Shenzhen, adjacent to Hong Kong and one of China's first special economic zones, has developed over four decades into a global centre for innovation and advanced manufacturing.