BEIJING — A top Chinese foreign ministry official said that China and the Philippines should respect each other's sovereignty and resolve differences through "mutual respect."
Speaking to The Manila Times at the sidelines of the China International Press Communications Center (CIPCC) opening ceremony on Tuesday at the Renmin University of China, Assistant Foreign Minister Hong Lei said that mutual respect could advance the two coutries' bilateral relationship.
Lei said that China has a "multidimensional development perspective," which is why they invited journalists from the "Global South" to get firsthand knowledge of China's development.
"So that you can understand China and promote China's relevant information to your countries so we can join hands to advance our modernization in the new era," Lei said.
In his speech, Lei said he hopes that journalists participating in the program would become "bosom friends" of China and help better connect China to the world.
"I hope you will gain an intimate understanding of China’s history and dynamism, and present to the world a true, multidimensional and panoramic picture of China through objective coverage and diverse perspectives," Lei said.
He said that the country's hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation or APEC summit in Shenzhen in November would bring "fresh impetus to regional economic integration, expand the depth and substance of the Asia Pacific community with a shared future, and make greater contributions to the development of the Asia Pacific and the world,"
Chinese Public Diplomacy Association vice president Tong Xiaoling said that news media serves as a "bridge" across national borders and bonds connecting peoples.
"Transcending geographical divides, they enable societies to see one another’s true realities. Grounded in facts, they mitigate misperceptions and prejudices and create viable pathways for dialogue among civilizations," Xiaoling said.
She added that candid exchanges among cross-border media practitioners are essential amid global challenges.
"Stereotypes ought to be replaced by on-the-ground observations, and global narratives ought to be enriched by diverse perspectives, so as to inject public opinion momentum into mutual trust, enhanced understanding and deeper cooperation among nations," Xiaoling said.
The CIPCC is initiated by the China Public Diplomacy Association and is a platform for cooperation between media organizations in China and those in emerging markets and developing countries, particularly in the so-called "global south."
