China Media Deal Raises Hopes for Digital News Shift

Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon has expressed optimism that cooperation agreements signed with China will contribute to qualitative improvements in Bangladesh’s new media sector.

Reacting to four media-related memorandums of understanding (MoUs), the minister said the agreements would create opportunities for knowledge sharing and technological collaboration between the two countries.

Speaking to journalists, he said, “As Information Minister, I signed four memorandums of understanding with the Chinese government. Through these agreements, both countries have agreed to exchange experience and knowledge in information management.”

He added, “We also agreed to cooperate in media technology and research on artificial intelligence with a technologically advanced country like China. Through this joint initiative, we believe Bangladesh’s new media landscape can achieve meaningful qualitative progress.”

Thirteen memorandums of understanding were signed in Beijing following bilateral talks between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People. The agreements covered investment, education, trade, health, human resource development and media cooperation.

As part of the media cooperation framework, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and state media organisations entered collaborative arrangements with Chinese partners involving content exchange, technology support and institutional capacity development.

The minister further said stronger engagement with China could support Bangladesh’s economic, technological and international positioning.

He also described Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s China visit as reaching a new phase of bilateral engagement.

According to him, the Chinese leadership conveyed confidence that the visit would help elevate bilateral relations to a more advanced level.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman began his foreign visit on 21 June with Malaysia before travelling to Dalian and later Beijing, where he attended engagements including the World Economic Forum programme and bilateral meetings with Chinese leaders.

The delegation included Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon, Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, state ministers and advisers.

//DBTech/BDN/EK//