Xinhua, Bernama Can Together Become Voice Of Asia - China

By Voon Miaw Ping KUALA LUMPUR, March 2 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's national news agency, Bernama, and its Chinese counterpart, Xinhua, can strenghten their collaboration to become the voice of Asia, said China's State Council Information Office Minister Wang Chen (right). He said, as currently 80 per cent of news flow were dominated by developed nations, Xinhua and Bernama could collaborate, especially to fill the vacuum in providing news and information from the Asian's perspective internationally to help safeguard the interests of developing nations. "Media cooperation plays an important role in strenghtening partnership in the 21st century, so we can achieve common prosperity and harmonious development. "I think we can work together to promote and make our voice stronger in the Asian region, as well as become the voice of the developing countries," he said during a visit to Bernama Headquarters here Friday. During the visit, the Chinese minister and his delegation held discussions with Bernama chairman Abdul Rahman Sulaiman, its editor-in-chief Yong Soo Heong (left), as well as senior editors. Wang said he was impressed with the roles of Bernama which, as the forerunner of news provider in this country, had developed and diversified from its traditional wire services to include TV station, radio, and online news services. As such, he also hoped to see more cooperation between Bernama and Xinhua, while efforts should also be taken to capitalise on the growing role of the new media, as such partnership, to benefit both countries. "In future, I hope to encourage more exchanges between Xinhua and Bernama, and try to take full advantage of the news media to promote mutual understanding between both countries," he said. He said Xinhua's online news service, xinhuanet.com, currently provided some 20,000 news daily. Meanwhile, in response to Wang's call, Yong said Bernama's reporters, especially its correspondents in overseas bureaus, were ready to work closely with Xinhua and other Chinese journalists to establish better relations between China and Malaysia. To date, Xinhua has over 3,000 journalists and staff worldwide, in line with the state's news agency policy to focus on international coverage. Bernama and Xinhua have enjoyed strong established relations, following a news exchange agreement in 1985, which saw Xinhua open its bureau in Kuala Lumpur here, the same year. Bernama meanwhile, opened its office in Beijing in May 2006. It also worked with China's People's Daily and China Radio International on news and journalist exchange. The two agencies are also members of the Organisation of Asia Pacific New Agencies. Bernama chairman Abdul Rahman Sulaiman and China's Ambassador to Malaysia, Chai Xi (centre) were also present. (photoBERNAMA) MALAYSIA