CMG Forum aims to promote cultural exchange, technological empowerment

The 4th China Media Group (CMG) Forum opened in Qufu City of east China's Shandong Province on Friday, highlighting cultural exchange and technological empowerment.

The forum was jointly hosted by CMG and the Shandong Provincial People's Government with the theme "Exchange, Mutual Learning, Technology Empowerment: The Power of Civilization in Transformation and Development."

About 300 guests from 95 countries and regions, including political figures, leaders of international organizations, heads of mainstream media organizations, diplomats, experts, scholars, and representatives from multinational corporations, participated in the event both online and offline. Attendees emphasized Chinese President Xi Jinping's call for equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and inclusiveness among civilizations, noting that the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by Xi has resonated widely and profoundly across the world.

They also expressed expectations that through the CMG Forum, they can enhance exchanges and mutual learning, deepen innovative collaborations amid technological transformations, inject new impetus into building an open and inclusive international communication ecosystem, and gather the strength of civilizations for world peace and development.

The event launched the 2025 global tour of the cultural program "China Through Its Intangible Heritage," and unveiled several international co-production projects on cultural exchange and research reports on topics including "Civilizational Exchanges and Media Empowerment: Pioneering Practices in the Integration of Culture and Tourism."

On the same day, a CMG news gathering activity "China Up Close, Shandong Tour" was initiated. Media workers from home and abroad will explore cities in Shandong including Jining, Qingdao and Yantai from a global perspective, presenting the historical roots and innovative developments of Qilu culture, a term refers to the ancient kingdoms of the Qi and Lu, in what is now Shandong, before the founding of the Qin Dynasty (221-207 BC), and telling the world Chinese stories of blending the ancient and the modern.

Meanwhile, the CMG forum extended invitations to global guests for the 11th Nishan Forum on World Civilizations, which will also take place in Qufu, the birthplace of the prominent Chinese philosopher Confucius.

CMG Forum aims to promote cultural exchange, technological empowerment

Permanent representative of Israel to the United Nations (UN) Danny Danon on Thursday denied that any discussions had occurred between Israel and the UN regarding delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Danon made these remarks at the UN headquarters in response to a query from a China Central Television (CCTV) reporter about the ongoing failure to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Israel blocked the entry of goods and supplies into Gaza on March 2, following the end of the first phase of a January ceasefire deal with Hamas. It resumed attacks on Gaza on March 18.

With no food, no supplies, and no relief in sight, Gazans have been enduring a relentless fight for survival.

In response to mounting international condemnation, Israel has proposed that its military take over the distribution of aid - a move widely criticized by the international community.

Briefing a Security Council meeting on Tuesday, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher noted that the UN has met for over 12 times with the Israeli authorities regarding the latter's proposed aid distribution model, yet no solution had been found.

Danon, however, stated that no discussions have taken place in recent weeks regarding the issue.

"I don't know about that. Actually I listened to Mr. Fletcher's remarks at the Security Council the other day, and I can tell you that he visited Israel but he had no discussion about that fund because it was way back and in the last few weeks there was no dialogue about that. I would expect UN officials to engage when they want to speak about issues they know how to reach us, they know how to reach the U.S. mission. We are here to engage," he said.

"They got some information from the media, I assume. But I think they should look into that and to realize that if they want to be involved, that is the way to be involved," he added, reiterating that the UN has not reached out.

In response to Danon's denial, the United Nations reaffirmed its position, standing by the public statement released by Fletcher.

"I heard what he said, and we stand by what Mr. Fletcher has said," Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for UN Secretary-General noted later on the day, commenting on Danon's statement.

"Mr. Fletcher gave the details," he continued.

Israel envoy denies discussions with UN on enabling Gaza aid deliveries