Professor Zhang Jianzhen, vice president of Zhejiang Normal University, and Ikenna Emewu, editor-in-chief of Africa China Economy Magazine, jointly unveil the plaque of the China-Africa Media Research and Communication Center. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

On May 30, the China-Africa Media Dialogue and the inauguration ceremony of the China-Africa Media Research and Communication Center were successfully held at the Institute of African Studies, Zhejiang Normal University (IASZNU). The event brought together media professionals and scholars from both China and Africa, with participants attending in person and online, which fostered meaningful discussions on new directions and opportunities for media cooperation between the two regions.

In response to the growing need for Global South countries to amplify their voices in international communication, the Center aims to strengthen China-Africa media cooperation and academic exchange. It will focus on research, dialogue, and capacity building, striving to become an inclusive platform that connects Africa with the world and contributes to the development of a knowledge system rooted in African perspectives. The Center will be co-directed by Ikenna Emewu, editor-in-chief of Africa China Economy Magazine, and Li Zhaoying, assistant research fellow at IASZNU.

In his keynote speech, Liu Hongwu, dean of IASZNU, emphasized that the establishment of the Center reflects the essence of South-South cooperation and deepens the integration of area studies with global communication. He noted that the Center will consolidate diverse resources to develop mechanisms for China-Africa media collaboration, challenge Western-dominated narratives, and help realize the broader vision of a shared China-Africa future.

Speaking via video, Yan Yuqing, consul general of China in Lagos, Nigeria, underscored the urgent need for truthful, objective, and fair narratives in today's rapidly changing world. She praised IASZNU's longstanding contributions to China-Africa educational and cultural exchanges and highlighted that the Center will serve as a strong platform for joint media training and expanded cooperation in areas such as policy development, governance, and beyond.

Ikenna Emewu, the African co-director of the Center, welcomed the initiative as a vital step toward sustained and institutionalized engagement between African and Chinese media professionals. He proposed regular collaborative research projects, joint report publications, and the development of global networks linking scholars, think tanks, and media outlets to enhance public diplomacy and media innovation.

Meanwhile, Li Zhaoying, the Chinese co-director of the Center, shared fieldwork-based insights from Africa, underlining the importance of mutual understanding through authentic and multidimensional storytelling. She stressed that media cooperation serves as a powerful bridge for people-to-people ties and that diverse, balanced narratives are key to empowering Africans and Chinese to tell their own stories.

Following the ceremony, the China-Africa Media Dialogue convened speakers from China and African countries to share practical perspectives on current challenges, collaborative experiences, and future directions.

Nick Ogbulie, CEO of Nigeria-based MoneyReport, highlighted the strategic urgency of strengthening China-Africa media cooperation. He encouraged the Center to address key Global South issues, establish inclusive mechanisms, and engage a broader range of social actors in shaping the evolving China-Africa narrative.

In addition, Cheng Dengyu, an editor of Impression Zhejiang at the Zhejiang International Communication Center, shared insights from previous collaborations with African media. She expressed willingness to promote joint interviews, journalist exchanges, and feature stories, particularly those showcasing Zhejiang's achievements in the digital economy, rural revitalization, and green development.

Douglas Okwatch, Africa Affairs editor at CGTN Africa, reflected on CGTN's decade-long media presence and reporting experience across the continent. He welcomed the Center's launch as timely and strategic, proposing several initiatives to expand its impact, including the creation of a China-Africa media archive, the launch of a fellowship program for African journalists, and the establishment of a media observatory to track content trends, counter misinformation and promote ethical journalism and collaborative storytelling.

Wang Yan, deputy director of the Nigeria Research Center at IASZNU, noted that joint research by Chinese and African scholars has proven effective in integrating academic and communication resources—especially through co-created content. She advocated for strengthening autonomous information systems and reducing reliance on Western sources, therefore promoting equal, face-to-face communication models.

Silence Charumbira, managing editor of Africa News 24, delivered a powerful call to reshape the global information order. He pointed out that narratives from the Global South have long been distorted or marginalized by dominant Western media. While initiatives such as FOCAC and the Belt and Road Initiative have made significant progress, they are still often misrepresented due to discourse imbalances and limited media capacity. He praised the Center's launch as a timely step toward building a China-Africa media environment grounded in mutual respect, trust, and partnership.

Shan Min, director of Research and International Cooperation at IASZNU, outlined three strategic approaches to enhancing international communication: mutual engagement through inbound and outbound exchange; interdisciplinary content creation, including China-Africa documentaries; and deepened cooperation with local African media. She emphasized that global communication must be grounded in equality, trust and co-creation, responding to the concerns of the Global South and overcoming communication barriers.