Running from October 12 to 18 in Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu, the forum brings together media leaders to exchange professional experiences, explore developments in Jiangsu Province and discuss emerging challenges and opportunities in the media industry.
Organised under the Belt and Road Journalists Network (BRJN), the programme combines field visits, seminars and discussions on international reporting, economic journalism, fact-checking, artificial intelligence (AI) and cooperation among Global South media organisations.
Established in 2017 through the joint initiative of the All-China Journalists Association (ACJA) and journalists’ organisations from participating countries and regions, the BRJN connects more than 110 representative journalists’ organisations worldwide, collectively covering 1.67 million media professionals.
The forum, which has been held annually since its launch, provides a platform for media leaders to exchange experiences and explore opportunities for cross-border collaboration.
Discussions on AI will examine how news organisations can adopt emerging technologies while safeguarding the authenticity and reliability of their reporting.
The programme also includes sessions on mutual learning between civilisations, international cooperation and changing global governance.
As part of the forum, field visits across Jiangsu are giving participants an opportunity to understand the province’s economic development, cultural heritage and technological advances beyond the conference discussions.
Among the cities featured in the programme is Suzhou, a major economic centre in the Yangtze River Delta, near Shanghai.
The city combines more than 2,500 years of history with a modern industrial economy driven by advanced manufacturing, electronics, artificial intelligence and other technology-related sectors.
Suzhou is also internationally recognised for its classical gardens and the Grand Canal, which reflect its longstanding cultural heritage.
Its economic development has attracted foreign investment and supported the growth of industrial and technological innovation.
Speaking to journalists about the city’s development on October 13, Suzhou Mayor Wang Wei highlighted innovation, advanced manufacturing and openness as key elements of its economic progress.
He pointed to the growing use of automation in factories, including robotic arms and unmanned machinery, as examples of how technology is transforming industrial production.
Wang also highlighted Suzhou’s innovation platforms and its efforts to strengthen international economic links.
With a total area of 8,557.32 square kilometers, Suzhou is home to a population of over 16 million. In 2025, the city recorded a regional GDP of US$387.7 billion, ranking 6th among all the cities in Chinese mainland and 20th globally.
Reflecting on Suzhou’s development, a professor at Fudan University’s School of International Relations and Public Affairs, who also directs its Research Center for Party Building and National Development, Dr. Zheng Changzhong highlighted the relationship between China’s modernisation experience and its long history.
He linked the country’s development to the ability to mobilise people around shared objectives, while emphasising the value of exchanging ideas and learning from different societies.
“China wants to live well with others,” Dr. Zheng said, pointing to the importance of cooperation and practical experience in addressing shared development challenges.
He added that learning from different cultures and their accumulated wisdom could contribute to a better future for humanity.
Through its discussions and field visits, the forum provides an opportunity for journalists to exchange professional knowledge, explore different development experiences and consider how international media cooperation can contribute to greater mutual understanding.
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