Ladies, gentlemen and friends:

China's media industry has developed quickly since China began the reform and open policy. During globalization and the information and technology evolution, the government has carried out strategy that brings the application of ICT encouraging modernization. At the end of December 2007, the consumption of Internet users has surpassed 230 million. However, compared with the developed countries, the media industry in China still has a long way to go to improve its power and enhance its impact. This journey not only will be a part of the entire development of China, but also will have significant impact on development.

In today's global structures of public opinion, the western media still directs international public opinion. Information transmitted from the developed countries to the developing countries is 100 times that of the information transmitted backward. As the related situation cannot be reflected completely by the western media, and selectiveness and double-standard is a normal phenomenon when western countries report upon developing countries, developing countries have become victims of inequitable reporting. This was vividly proved during the Tibet reports, and it should be changed. Therefore, as a developing country, we should enhance communication and coordination among the media and advance reporting towards each other. Through our joint effort, we could break the domination of the western media and protect the common interests of the developing countries.

Compared with other aspects of China-Arab relations, especially the polity and economy states, the communion of media between China and Arabia lag behind. There are only a few reports about the development of Chinese-Arabic relations, reflecting the positive and significant changes in various sides of people's lives. The news about histories, cultures, even travel industries both in China and Arabic countries remains low as well. This does nothing but baffle the sense of understanding between Chinese and Arabs. We should struggle together to change this situation. Since the media is considered as an important bridge to enhance understanding, the Chinese and Arabic media should play a significant role and assume a more positive function to take this responsibility. It is also the basic reason we are holding this Cooperation Forum together linking the State Council Information Office of China and the League of Arab Secretariat.

Besides illuminating China to the world, The State Council Information Office of China also has the important responsibility of promoting the exchange between Chinese and all other nations' media. In addition, we consider reinforcing the communion and cooperation with Arabic medium and media organizations to be one of our most significant tasks. We expect, on the basis of our mutual knowledge and wishes, and by reinforcing media exchange and co-partnership to improve the friendship between China and Arabic countries.

Ladies, gentlemen and friends, Beijing will host the 29th summer Olympics this August. The Beijing Olympics belongs to the whole world, and we cordially welcome Arabic media to come to Beijing to collect Olympic news and witness the great event with us.

Thank you.

(China.org.cn translated by Yang Xi, Li Xiaohua, Wang Wei, Ma Yujia, Yan Xiaojing and Wu Huanshu April 24, 2008)