The 2026 Media Cooperation Forum on Belt and Road kicked off in Fuzhou, China, with over 200 delegates representing 182 media outlets and institutions from 100 countries in attendance. The two-day forum is jointly hosted by People’s Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Committee, and the Fujian provincial government. The theme of this year's forum is “Pursuing Common Understandings and Shared Aspirations along the Belt and Road”.
The forum has drawn international and regional organisations, with speakers at the opening ceremony highlighting the growth of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, the BRI has become the world’s largest platform for international economic cooperation in scale, scope and influence, according to Xian Hui, vice-chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.
Hu Heping, executive deputy head of the Communist Party’s Central Publicity Department, provided an update on the BRI's progress, stating that it now has 150 signatory countries and 30 international organisations, with over 4,000 cooperation projects produced. He urged international news organisations to report on the initiative’s contribution to world peace and economic stability amid global instability.
Yu Shaoliang, president of People’s Daily Press, emphasised the role of media in bridging cultural differences among partner nations. He called for localised perspectives and objective reporting to counter international misconceptions. Other notable speakers included Zhao Long, Communist Party secretary of Fujian, and Viasen Zoobramoney, CEO of IOL.
During the event, participating media representatives jointly signed the Belt and Road Media Cooperation: Fuzhou Initiative. The document calls on global media organisations to produce joint coverage that promotes policy communication, mutual trust, and people-to-people exchanges.
The Fuzhou Initiative draws on the character “Fu,” meaning blessing or good fortune in Fujian. It notes that different countries and peoples share the auspicious meaning of “Fu”, and that seeking blessings and hoping for a better life are common aspirations around the world.
After the forum, foreign journalists began organised reporting tours of Fujian and other regions. The event provides a platform for international media cooperation and exchange, promoting a deeper understanding of the Belt and Road Initiative and its impact on global development.
Key points
- The 2026 Media Cooperation Forum on Belt and Road is being attended by over 200 delegates from 100 countries.
- The Belt and Road Initiative has 150 signatory countries and 30 international organisations, with over 4,000 cooperation projects produced.
- The forum aims to promote policy communication, mutual trust, and people-to-people exchanges among participating countries.
