China and Africa seek new ways to shape African media narratives

At the 7th Forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation held in Beijing, delegates discussed strategies to reshape how the African continent is represented in international media. The forum, which included approximately 400 representatives from China and 45 African nations, focused on moving away from Western-centric narratives that often fail to highlight African agency.

Participants emphasized that authentic representation requires practical involvement from local partners at every stage of the process, including idea development, source identification, editorial decision-making, and local-language distribution. Co-production was identified as a primary method to ensure African partners play an active role in storytelling rather than merely receiving completed programs.

The event was co-hosted by China’s National Radio and Television Administration, the Beijing municipal government, and the African Union of Broadcasting. It serves as a precursor to the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Africa in 2026.