By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Namibia has joined 44 other
African countries in adopting a Joint Declaration on China-Africa Media
Cooperation at the 7th Forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation in Beijing,
China.
The declaration seeks to
deepen cooperation between China and African countries across the media, radio,
television and audiovisual sectors while promoting stronger people-to-people
and cultural exchanges.
The participating countries
identified several priority areas for cooperation, including joint reporting,
content co-production, digital transformation, artificial intelligence,
technology application and capacity building for young media professionals.
The declaration also
highlights the growing role of digital technologies and emerging tools such as
artificial intelligence in transforming the media industry, with China and
African countries expected to explore greater knowledge-sharing and collaboration
in these areas.
The forum further welcomed
China’s full rollout of zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries with
diplomatic relations with China, which took effect on May 1, 2026.
The declaration recognises
the media’s role in creating public awareness of the tariff measures and
supporting stronger China-Africa economic and trade relations through improved
information sharing.
The adoption of the
declaration marks another step towards expanding China-Africa media
partnerships, with participating countries seeking to use communication,
innovation and capacity building to promote greater mutual understanding and
cooperation.