China-Russia Media Forum (Photo/People's Daily Online)

Aiming at reducing misinterpretation by the Western media, China and Russia vow to step up media cooperation. Over ten media companies from both sides signed nine agreements in the just concluded China and Russia Media Forum in St. Petersburg. The deals aim to strengthen cooperation between the two countries, serving to build a solid foundation for the upcoming "China-Russia Media Exchange Year".

China-Russia Media Forum kicked off Thursday in St. Petersburg. Head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, Liu Qibao, attended the forum and delivered a keynote address. Nearly a hundred media representatives from both sides discussed the cooperation between the two countries’ media organizations.

The forum focused on the discussion on how to improve international communication in the era of all media. Other topics include the media's role in promoting the integration of China's Silk Road Economic Belt initiative under the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union framework, and boosting new media exchange and cooperation between the two countries.

"As China-Russia relations have and continue to make great strides, each country's media outlets should strengthen collaborative exchanges and cooperation in the spirit of mutual trust," Liu Qibao stressed media cooperation should center around the two countries' major strategic blueprints, initiatives and projects, so as to jointly boost the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership and coordination. He also called on Chinese and Russian media to jointly facilitate the integration of China's Silk Road Economic Belt initiative under the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union framework. Furthermore, Liu said that both sides' media should work together to safeguard the outcomes of the victory of World War II. He’d like both sides to help uphold international justice, promote cultural exchanges, and spur mutual learning. This will all work towards increasing the foundation of the two countries’ friendship, while enhancing mutual strategic trust and upholding developmental interests.