Video media helps bridge cultures, deepen exchanges: official

China

Video media helps bridge cultures, deepen exchanges: official

2024-12-04 20:43 Last Updated At：12-05 15:37

The video media plays an important role in bridging cultures and boosting people-to-people exchanges, according to Yang Xudong, deputy director of the Quanzhou Municipal Publicity Department, when speaking at a sub-forum of the 12th Global Video Media Forum (VMF) which opened in Quanzhou of east China's Fujian Province on Tuesday.

The two-day VMF brought together 200 representatives from mainstream media and international organizations from over 60 countries and regions to the historic coastal city of Quanzhou, which is known as an historic trading port and UNESCO World Heritage site.

Hosted by the CCTV Video News Agency (CCTV+) the event was held under the theme "Intelligence Without Frontiers, Vision Beyond The Horizon -- Media's Role in Communication and Cultural Exchange."

Speaking during a panel discussion, Yang, who is also director of Quanzhou TV, underscored the importance of video media, saying it has become one of the most vital mediums for communication with the world, telling stories and deepening mutual understanding.

He offered up the example of a documentary he helped produce titled "Return to Zai Tun" -- referring to the historic name for Quanzhou -- which used vivid videos and compelling storytelling to shed light on a monumental chapter of Chinese history - the opening of the Maritime Silk Road.

Yang explained the documentary sought to tell the story of how ships from over 100 countries passed through the ancient port city of Quanzhou, which became a bustling trading hub between the 10th and 14th centuries. This exchange of goods also led to the prosperity of economies and the flourishing of cultures along the Silk Road, he said, adding that the production team aimed to enlighten those unfamiliar with this history, illustrating the idea that peace, communication and development are the pillars of human society.

The documentary won a Silver Award at the 55th Houston International Film Festival, reaffirming the power of visual media in spreading stories and fostering cross-cultural exchanges, he said.

Yang said the impact of the documentary is not confined to historical insights, but also offers valuable lessons for the here and now.

He said visitors from around the world who explore Quanzhou will find that various religious and cultural groups peacefully coexist within the same neighborhoods, serving as a vivid example of multicultural integration, with the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) dubbing Quanzhou as "the museum of the world's religions."

Yang said Quanzhou also places great importance on the contributions of ordinary people sharing their own stories through social media. Over the past few years, they city has launched a series of video works telling a cross-section of tales, with the protagonists being international students and foreign friends living and working in Quanzhou. Through their eyes, viewers are able to explore the city through their experiences of the city's vibrant everyday life and their interactions with the local people, according to Yang.

He said Quanzhou also collaborated with media partners in the Philippines to host the Philippines-China Fujian (Quanzhou) TV Week. This initiative shared documentaries which featured Chinese food, local cultures and other insightful topics with the Filipino public.

The success of this program inspired the city to take the same approach in Indonesia, where it launched a TV week showcasing outstanding Chinese programs and introduced Indonesian cultural documentaries to Chinese audiences. These efforts demonstrate the innate power of videos in facilitating people-to-people exchanges, Yang said.

Launched by the CCTV Video News Agency (CCTV+) in 2011, the VMF is an annual professional journalism forum focusing on the latest trends and innovations in news and journalism, which provides a highly specialized, unique and interactive platform for domestic and foreign media peers.

S. Korea's parliament to vote on Yoon's impeachment motion Saturday

2024-12-06 11:38 Last Updated At：12:07

South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party said Thursday that it will push for a vote Saturday for an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol over his shocking yet short-lived imposition of martial law.

Cho Seung-rae, the main opposition's senior spokesman, said it plans to hold a vote on the motion at around 19:00 local time Saturday to give ruling party lawmakers enough time to deliberate over their decision on Yoon's actions.

The Democratic Party of Korea, which holds a majority in the 300-seat parliament, has submitted the impeachment motion with the backing of five smaller opposition parties, arguing Yoon's martial law declaration constituted violations of the constitution and other laws.

The vote on the impeachment motion requires a two-thirds majority to pass, which would need eight of the 108 ruling party lawmakers to vote with opposition parties. If it passes, the Constitutional Court would then decide whether to uphold the motion, with a decision required within 180 days.

Han Dong-hoon, leader of the ruling People Power Party, said at a party meeting on Thursday that the unconstitutional martial law order cannot be justified, urging Yoon to leave the party. But he pledged his party will rally efforts to block the motion's passage to avoid confusion.

The floor leader of the People Power party Choo Kyung-ho also vowed Thursday that its lawmakers would "unite" to defeat the opposition-led impeachment motion, which would immediately suspend Yoon's presidential duties.

Meanwhile, South Korean police launched an investigation into a case of Yoon's treason charge, a senior police officer said Thursday.

Police have begun investigating the president for alleged "insurrection" following his declaration of martial law and subsequent lifting, which has sparked widespread political turmoil. Woo Jong-soo, head of the National Office of Investigation of the National Police Agency, confirmed that "the case has been assigned."

While pushing for the impeachment of Yoon, the South Korean National Assembly passed a motion on Thursday to impeach the country's chief state auditor and three top prosecutors, marking the first time the head of the state audit agency impeached by the parliament.

The South Korean National Assembly's defense committee also held an emergency inquiry on Thursday regarding Yoon's declaration and lifting of martial law.

Yoon shocked the country by declaring emergency martial law Tuesday night, claiming to eradicate "anti-state" forces, only to lift the order six hours later after being rejected by 190 lawmakers in the parliament.

On Wednesday night, demonstrators in downtown Seoul held a candlelight vigil and marched towards the presidential office against Yoon, demanding that he step down.