The 4th Lancang-Mekong Audiovisual Week commenced with a grand opening ceremony held at Studio 1 of Yunnan Media Group in Kunming yesterday evening. This collaborative event, co-organized by China’s National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA), Cambodia’s Ministry of Information, and the People’s Government of Yunnan Province, China, brought together a delegation from Myanmar and other Mekong-Lancang countries.
Dignitaries including the NRTA Deputy Minister, Cambodia’s Information Minister, the Deputy Governor of Yunnan Province, Union Minister for Information U Maung Maung Ohn, and Laos’ Deputy Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism delivered opening speeches during the ceremony.
In his address, Union Minister U Maung Maung Ohn emphasized the pivotal role that the media sector plays in contributing knowledge and information for regional development.
He highlighted the collaborative efforts of Mekong-Lancang countries to strengthen media-to-media exchanges, studies, and cooperation, fostering close relationships among the people of the region. This initiative resonates with the theme of the 4th Audiovisual Week: “Enjoy Lancang-Mekong Audiovisual Extravaganza and Co-Compose the Golden Chapter.”
U Maung Maung Ohn also underscored the importance of media in Myanmar during the country’s pursuit of democratic and federal systems in alignment with the State Administration Council’s roadmap, political, economic and social objectives. He stressed the need for Mekong-Lancang countries to enhance sector-wise cooperation in news and media, promoting the ethical application and exchange of modern media technology in line with international norms.
A significant moment during the event was the signing of a cooperation agreement between the NRTA and China Television Theatre, witnessed by the attendees. Additionally, the launch of the Mekong Look App marked a crucial development. Created by the Yunnan Media Group, this app accommodates languages from Mekong-Lancang countries such as China, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, and Viet Nam. The app will undergo testing with Chinese, Cambodian, and Thai languages until August 2023, after which it will expand to include Lao, Myanmar, and Vietnamese languages by the end of 2025.
Myanmar, a proud Mekong-Lancang country, took part in the event with the intention of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further communication and cooperation among member countries.
The ceremony featured screenings of documentary videos showcasing Mekong-Lancang cooperation activities, past events, and development programmes, employing techniques from various regional countries.
Prior to the opening ceremony, information ministers, deputy ministers, counselors, and heads of TV stations engaged in an exclusive meeting, exchanging perspectives on pertinent information issues.
Concluding the day’s events, the Union minister and the delegation from Myanmar explored the Yunnan Famous Tea Museum alongside representatives from other Mekong-Lancang countries. — MNA/KTZH
