China, U.S. media professionals seek ways to promote mutual understanding

Delegates of major media outlets and research institutions in China and the United States gathered here on Thursday, seeking ways to promote mutual understanding and cooperation between the world's two great powers.

Media outlets are key platforms for peoples of the two countries to know each other better, and they play an important role in strengthening bilateral relations, Cui Yuying, deputy director of the State Council Information Office (SCIO), said at a media roundtable organized by the SCIO and the Aspen Institute, a Washington-based think tank.

With respect to each other's core interests and concerns, media in China and the U.S. should strengthen communications and cooperation taking account of the mainstream of the bilateral ties, she told media researchers and news anchors of CNN and Fox News.

"Candid, good-will and objective coverage of the history and reality of the two countries is always desirable. We need to clarify confusion and seek common grounds while shelving differences to promote mutual trust," she added.

Charles Firestone, executive director of Aspen Institute, said many Americans have great respects for China's miraculous economic achievement, traditions and cultures. But the two countries also have vastly different historical background and political system.

"Today we have a great opportunity to establish cooperation, ( which) allows us to bridge our differences, to collaborate in areas of common concern, to foster tolerance and understanding across borders," he said.

Juan Williams, a political analyst with the Fox News Channel, said he was interested in understanding the reality of Chinese media from Chinese media professionals, instead of from the American perspective.

"I'm very interested in how Chinese media functions and serves such a large population. There is no larger market for media than China," he added.

He said his son has served as a summer intern at China Daily, the nation's largest English-language newspaper. "For me, this is a revelation. They are interested in understanding how the world sees China even when they have someone coming to work at China Daily," Williams said.

"My wife and I want our son to go because we see him as a citizen of the world, and China as a critical player in our world today," he added. Endite