China-Japan-ROK media urged to enhance trilateral friendship

Media organizations and journalists of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea need to strengthen communication and make joint efforts to tell the stories of trilateral friendship and cooperation well, it was said at a forum held on Friday.

Yu Shaoliang, editor-in-chief of People's Daily, said media workers from China, Japan and the ROK should make due contributions to the building of the East Asian community. They should make comprehensive reports, enhance communication and cooperation and be guardians of cultural identity.

Yu was giving a keynote speech in Beijing at the 2022 China-Japan-ROK Trilateral Media Dialogue, held by People's Daily under the title "Fulfilling Media Responsibilities to Strengthen People-to-People Ties". Nearly 60 representatives from media organizations, governments and international organizations of China, Japan and the ROK have participated in the forum online and offline.

Deng Wei, counselor of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, called on the media of the three countries to promote the cultural concepts of inclusiveness and coexistence, seeking common ground while reserving differences, treasuring their distinct heritages and appreciating other cultures.

Ou Boqian, secretary-general of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat, said the mainstream media of the three countries could shoulder social responsibilities, strive to reduce misunderstanding and prejudice and promote people-to-people exchanges. She urged them to guide public opinion with a rational and objective attitude, tell stories about the real world in a balanced and accurate way and seek solutions to problems with a rigorous and responsible attitude.

Miyata Yuki, executive director and managing editor of Tokyo Head Office of the Asahi Shimbun, Japan, said that the three countries have a lot in common in culture and history. The dialogue is a good opportunity for the media of the three countries to exchange their experiences and insights and explore ways to survive together.

Lee Ha-Kyung, editor-in-chief of the JoongAng Ilbo of ROK, said media of the three countries should report in a responsible manner, serve as a bridge of people-to-people exchanges and inject vitality into Northeast Asia.

Chen Zhiming, director-general of the International Department of China Daily, said as ongoing geopolitical conflicts and the COVID-19 pandemic have caused political and economic changes in the world, media has the responsibility to play an active role in promoting continued cooperation and exchanges among the three countries.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and ROK and the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties between China and Japan. The three countries have similarities in culture, and differences in political, social and ideological systems should not become obstacles to state-to-state exchanges, he said, adding media should make more positive reports to promote friendship and enhance mutual understanding among the three countries.