Officials and media professionals from China and Mongolia emphasized the importance of journalism in strengthening bilateral relations and fostering greater people-to-people connections during the 16th China-Mongolia Journalism Forum held Tuesday in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia autonomous region. The event drew over 120 participants from the media sectors of both countries.

Cui Shixin, executive vice-president of the All-China Journalists Association, highlighted the shared opportunities and challenges faced by China and Mongolia as developing nations in Northeast Asia. He called for increased efforts to promote exchanges between their populations and reinforce the foundation of friendship. Cui urged media outlets to maintain objectivity and fairness, amplify positive narratives that build understanding, reduce misunderstandings, and support the social basis of the China-Mongolia partnership.

Mongolian Foreign Minister Batmunkh Battsetseg echoed these sentiments, stressing that the people-to-people level underpins bilateral ties. She underscored the critical role of accurate and impartial reporting in overcoming distance and advancing mutual comprehension, which in turn lays a solid public opinion foundation for ongoing cooperation. Battsetseg also noted the media’s role in conveying the practical achievements and tangible benefits resulting from the two countries’ collaboration to wider audiences.

Ninijamts, president of the Confederation of Mongolian Journalists, reiterated the dual role of the media in providing timely, precise news and acting as a bridge for enhancing understanding and consensus. He pointed out that while economic, trade, and scientific cooperation between Mongolia and China continues to deepen, statistical data alone cannot fully represent this progress. Ninijamts called for storytelling that highlights personal experiences and real-life developments to effectively illustrate the practical results of shared growth.

Bao Xianhua, head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Inner Mongolia Autonomous Regional Committee, described the media as a crucial connector between hearts and minds. Since its establishment in 2010, the China-Mongolia Journalism Forum has served as an important platform for regular dialogue and collaboration within the media communities of both countries. Given the increasingly complex and dynamic international information environment, Bao stressed the heightened responsibility of the media to leverage new platforms and technologies, share compelling narratives about cooperative benefits for citizens, and promote a philosophy of mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

The forum also included the signing of collaborative agreements between local governments and media organizations from China and Mongolia, aiming to further institutionalize exchanges and partnerships.