'GBA cities show stronger intl. communication capabilities'

The international communication capabilities of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) cities in Guangdong Province are increasing and have been highly recognized by multiple institutions at home and abroad, an analysis report has showed.

Additionally, these GBA cities have performed well in terms of international exchange, culture and tourism, and overseas media exposure, as per the report released at the Greater Bay Area International Communication Forum of the fifth World Media Summit in Guangzhou yesterday.

The forum featured the release of an analysis report on the international communication of Greater Bay Area (Guangdong) cities by Reference News Think Thank, the promotion of three Guangdong cities including Shenzhen, Dongguan, and Yangjiang, thematic speeches, the launch of “GBA Focus — Having a Close Dialogue With the World” activity, and a seminar.

Four media professionals are invited to share their insights at the seminar focusing on how to present the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to the world at the Greater Bay Area International Communication Forum of the fifth World Media Summit in Guangzhou yesterday. Zhang Yu

The debut of the analysis report marked the first time that Reference News Newspaper expanded its research and analysis on cities’ international communication to a regional level, according to Zhou Xiaozheng, president of Reference News Newspaper.

“We hope to leverage our newspaper’s advantages in the overseas public opinion database and information monitoring to better tell the stories of Guangdong cities located in the Greater Bay Area and help amplify the voice of China,” Zhou said.

According to Zhou, whether the stories of GBA cities are told well is of special significance, as Guangdong has been the pacesetter of China’s reform and opening up and an important reference for foreign media to observe China.

For instance, Shenzhen has attracted increasing attention from overseas audiences to its green development and areas such as Qianhai, Nanshan, and Hetao, while polishing its calling card of scientific and technological innovation hub, Zhou added.

Four guests were also invited to engage in a discussion at the seminar focusing on how to present the GBA to the world.

Jose Luis Paniagua, chief editor of EPA Images, suggested that more foreign journalists should come to the GBA and get first-hand information about the area’s thriving development.

Alice Hang, chief editor of OTV (Oceania TV), emphasized the importance of enhanced people-to-people exchanges. “People is the essence of communications, connections, and relationships. And New Zealand has a long history of people-to-people relationships with China, especially with the Greater Bay Area,” Hang said.

According to Guillermo Franco, general manager of Mexico’s Grupo Multimedios, tradition media, social media, and other new media forms in the media ecosystem can all be leveraged to help present what the GBA has to offer.