Asia-Pacific media outlets forge new partnerships ahead of Shenzhen Apec summit

Media outlets across the Asia-Pacific region have gathered in Shenzhen to deepen collaboration on content, talent and technology ahead of the coming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in the southern Chinese city.

Hundreds of media representatives witnessed the launch of several partnerships at the Asia-Pacific Media Forum, which opened in Shenzhen on Saturday after two days of sub-forums in other Guangdong cities as part of a series of events marking the 2026 Apec “China Year”.

Themed “building a path to shared prosperity for the Asia-Pacific community: media consensus and action”, the forum announced the establishment of the Asia-Pacific Media Partnership Organising Committee. Its 16 founding organisations include China’s People’s Daily and Xinhua News Agency, Russia’s Tass news agency and Vietnam News Agency.

Li Shulei, head of the publicity department of the Communist Party’s Central Committee, said on Saturday that the partnership “provides support for in-depth exchanges and enhanced cooperation” and would “enhance the voice and influence of Asia-Pacific media”.

The partnership committee would promote a programme focused on high-level dialogue, coordinated communication, technological innovation and practical cooperation, according to an official announcement.

Meanwhile, Huang Kunming, the Communist Party chief of Guangdong province, said the province’s strong technological and economic base could support media organisations to make greater use of AI through technology and software collaborations.

During the event, the South China Morning Post also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Nanfang Media Group, based in Guangzhou, Guangdong’s provincial capital.