THE Media Co-operation Forum on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), organised by the People’s Daily newspaper, opened today in China.

More than 200 participants from 78 countries came together at an event in the city of Kunming in Yunnan province that was designed to “foster dialogue, collaboration and mutual understanding among media organisations.”

During its eight sessions since 2014, the forum has served as an important platform for enhancing media exchanges and promoting the BRI.

Opening the conference, Zheng Jianbang, vice-chairman of the standing committee of China’s National People’s Congress, highlighted the importance of the media playing its part in “upholding the Silk Road spirit, in order to pioneer “new models of co-operation for shared development.”

Mr Zheng encouraged the media to play its role in enriching communication channels and building bridges between people, rather than the high walls that some are attempting to erect.

Communist Party Yunnan province secretary Wang Ning praised the remarkable progress made by the BRI including the China-Laos railway, which has drastically cut the travel time to the Pacific coast.

Much of this collaboration outlined during the opening session has been ignored by the corporate media, with news outlets choosing to demonise China’s BRI as they play their role in ramping up the new cold war.

Vice-Minister for Transport Li Yang highlighted the role China has played in supporting the new Trans-Caspian Express, which has opened up a new corridor to Europe that “improves the seamless flow of people and goods.”

People’s Daily president Yu Shaoling said: “We must remain committed to promoting the BRI,” in order to “build consensus and trust.”

Mr Yu said the initiative was vital for the the development of multilateralism, the promotion of which could be achieved through small projects as well as larger statement initiatives.

He underlined the importance of media partners promoting “people-to-people connectivity,” saying that they had the opportunity to be “messengers of solidarity, friendship and dialogue.”