DIALOGUES: Li Wufeng (second right), Vice Minister of the State Council Information Office of China, meets Dr. Fred Matiang'i (first left), Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology of Kenya in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, on September 25. The Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Liu Guangyuan (first right) also attends the meeting (DING ZHITAO)

Chinese and Kenyan officials in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, agreed on September 25 to boost media collaboration between both sides and to create a favorable environment for promoting economic cooperation and deepening bilateral relations.

Li Wufeng, Vice Minister of the State Council Information Office of China, met Dr. Fred Matiang'i, Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology of Kenya. They exchanged their mutual goodwill and appreciation and explored possibilities for concrete collaboration.

"Currently, the Chinese and Kenyan media are playing an increasingly more important role in promoting comprehensive China-Kenya cooperation," said Li. "The media's efforts will bring about new areas of cooperation between the two nations."

Matiang'i said Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta's successful state visit to China last month renewed the two nations' friendship and upgraded bilateral ties to a comprehensive cooperative partnership of equality, for the full mutual benefit of one another.

During their talks, the two ministers agreed that joint efforts would be undertaken to renew traditional friendship and contribute to partnership between China and Kenya.

Kenya welcomes Chinese entrepreneurs in collaborating with local media and tourism counterparts, said Matiang'i. He also expressed his support of cooperation between Kenya Television Network and China's Central Television (CCTV).

Matiang'i promised his ministry will provide conditions for the Chinese media's construction of infrastructure in Nairobi. Presently, four major Chinese media outlets – Xinhua News Agency, CCTV, China Radio International and China Daily – have all set up their African headquarters in Nairobi.

There have been increasingly frequent exchanges between journalists and other personnel engaged in media from China and Kenya. "This kind of progress has laid down a sound base for further development and provides crucial experience for those enhancing and working on cooperation between the Chinese and Kenyan media," said Li.

He also raised suggestions that could better improve cooperation between media outlets from the two sides. For example, efforts should be made to push forward on the sharing of news resources between China and Kenya. To strengthen utilization of news resources between the two countries, the Chinese and Kenyan media should share news content through the exchange of broadcasting programs and news stories, as well as other forms of media. Efforts should be made to expand news coverage of one another through the media of both countries. In addition, it is important to deepen the exchange and cooperation between the governmental departments of both countries.

"The Chinese side will continue to invite more journalists from Kenya to conduct interviews in China, and more training programs will be provided for them," said Li.

The meeting was part of "Experience China", which was held in Kenya by the State Council Information Office, the Chinese Embassy in Kenya and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kenya, to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Kenya and the 50th anniversary of Kenya's independence. The Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Liu Guangyuan also attended the meeting.

The meeting took place four days after the Somali militant group Al-Shabaab launched a terrorist attack at the Westgate Mall on September 21, killing at least 72 people. Before the talks began, both sides expressed their condolences to the victims of the terrorist attacks and their sympathy for the families. "The Chinese people stand firmly together with the Kenyan people," said Minister Li.

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