Media MoUs with China to bring qualitative change to Bangladesh's media sector: Swapon

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon on
Sunday expressed optimism that Bangladesh's media sector will undergo a
qualitative transformation following the signing of four memorandums of
understanding (MoUs) with China on cooperation in the field of information and
broadcasting.
Sharing his reaction to the MoUs
signed during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's recent visit to China, the
minister said the two countries have agreed to work together in sharing
knowledge, experience and technology in the media sector.
"As the information minister,
I officially signed four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Chinese
government. Through these agreements, we have agreed to jointly exchange our
knowledge and experience in the field of information management," he said.
Swapon said he had also signed two additional MoUs unofficially, adding that
details of those agreements will be disclosed later.
On June 25, Bangladesh and China
signed four MoUs aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in the media
sector, promoting the use of modern technology and expanding information
exchange.
The MoUs will promote bilateral
cooperation in news and information exchange, establish long-term partnerships
in the media sector, facilitate joint research on issues relating to the Global
South media, and expand cooperation and experience-sharing in broadcasting and
technology use.
They are also expected to further strengthen
the long-standing friendship between Bangladesh and China and open new avenues
of cooperation in the media and information sector.
Swapon said Bangladesh will benefit
from China's expertise in advanced media technology and research on artificial intelligence
(AI).
"We have agreed to cooperate
on media technology and AI-based research with a technologically advanced
country like China. Through this joint effort, we believe we will be able to
bring a new qualitative change to Bangladesh's new media sector," he said.
The minister said a total of 17
MoUs were signed during the Prime Minister's visit to Beijing. Of them, 13 were
signed in the presence of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Chinese Premier Li
Qiang following their bilateral talks at the Great Hall of the People, while
six related to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry were signed on behalf
of Bangladesh by him.
He said the importance and honour
extended to the Bangladesh delegation by China's top leadership reflected the
strength of bilateral relations.
"The respect, importance and
discussions we received from the Chinese President, the Chinese Premier and the
Speaker of China's Parliament have strengthened our confidence that
Bangladesh-China relations will take our economy, technology and international
standing to a new level," Swapon said.
He described Prime Minister Tarique
Rahman's China visit as a milestone in bilateral ties.
"This was the first overseas
visit of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman after assuming office. We are deeply impressed
by China's sincerity and hospitality. The warmth shown to our delegation
reflects China's goodwill towards the people of Bangladesh," the minister
said.
Referring to President Xi Jinping's
remarks during his meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Swapon said the
Chinese leader expressed hope that the visit will elevate Bangladesh-China
relations to new heights.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman
visited Malaysia and China from June 21 to 26 on his maiden overseas tour after
taking office.
During the China visit, he attended
the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as
the Summer Davos, in Dalian before travelling to Beijing.
In Beijing, the Prime Minister held
bilateral meetings with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and President Xi Jinping. He
also met Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's
Congress.
The Bangladesh delegation included
Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, Information and Broadcasting Minister
Swapon, Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, State Minister
for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit, State Minister for
Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat, and the Prime Minister's
advisers Humaiun Kobir, AKM Shamsul Islam, Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir and Mahdi
Amin.















