On July 6, 2019, "2019 (The First) China-ASEAN International Seminar on Media and Journalism & Communication Education—China-ASEAN Deans (Heads of Departments) of Journalism and Communication School Forum was jointly held by the School of Journalism and Communication of Guangxi University and the China-ASEAN Center for Media and Regional Communication Studies of Guangxi University in the Unified Media Center of our school. Fourteen deans (heads) of journalism and communication institutes from eight ASEAN countries, including the Philippines, Laos, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia, and more than 30 experts from universities in China, such as Guangxi University, Fudan University, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Xiamen University, Jinan University, and Yunnan University, gathered together. These experts discussed and shared opinions on issues like media and the development of China-ASEAN society, the construction of a community of destiny, the education of China-ASEAN journalism and communication talents, and teaching and research collaboration of China-ASEAN journalism and communication institutes, and other common concerns regarding the current situation of Press education.
Prof. Fan Jojun, the Standing Committee Member of the Party Committee and Vice President of Guangxi University, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony. 2019 is the China-ASEAN media exchange year. President Xi Jinping pointed out in his congratulatory letter at the opening ceremony of the China-ASEAN media exchange year that he hoped that the media of the two sides would be the purveyor of friendly exchanges, the promoter of pragmatic cooperation, the watchman of harmonious coexistence, the good storyteller, and the collaborative developer for greater contributions to building a closer China-ASEAN community of destiny.
In his opening speech, Prof. Zheng Guandong, Dean of the School of Journalism and Communication of Guangxi University, talked about the purpose of organizing this forum. Specifically, he hopes to provide a platform for exchanging and discussing with all Chinese and foreign friends, especially deans (heads of departments) over issues of theoretical and practical problems of media and journalism education in China and ASEAN countries. We seek for collaboration in this field. Prof. Zheng, Baowei expressed his expectation that through the conference seminars, group discussions and deans' forums, we can fully exchange ideas, inspire each other, actively expand the research field and the space for cooperation. Under the background of the "One Belt, One Road" and "China-ASEAN Community of Destiny", we hope to contribute to the realization of mutual exchange and deep understanding of media and journalism education in China and ASEAN countries.
A total of 14 Chinese and foreign guests delivered keynote speeches. The heads of journalism faculties from eight ASEAN countries and the deans of several journalism schools in China exchanged their views and reached some consensus on how to carry out institutional cooperation in academic research, exchange of visits among teachers and students, and personnel training.