Wang Hao

Wang Hao

(Deputy Editor-in-Chief, China Daily)

Author

Wang Hao is Deputy Editor-in-chief of China Daily. Mr. Wang has been an assistant to the erstwhile Editor-in-chief of China Daily, a board member of the Editorial Board of China Daily, Executive Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of China Daily, and Secretary of the Discipline Committee of China Daily.

Abstract

China proposed the initiative to build the Silk Road Economic Belt with European and Asian countries, which timely grasped the historic opportunity. It is a fundamental strategy in the nation's new pattern of open economy, and also a highlight of the efforts in innovating the neighboring diplomacy by the new leadership. Whether the Central Asian countries – which lie in the core zone of the belt – are ready to participate will exert a significant impact on the implementation of the initiative. As a major player in the construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt, the media will play its role in international communication and public diplomacy through media cooperation, which will be crucial for various national governments to reach consensus, as well as winning recognition from the general public. Firstly, introduce the strategies and progress of China in building the Economic Belt to the Central Asian people by means of the Internet, newspapers, radio and television. Report on the responses from other countries on the Economic Belt and elucidate in depth China's peaceful diplomacy and Chinese President Xi Jinping's remarks on diplomatic policies, in order to alleviate the concerns that Central Asian people may have regarding a closer tie with China and bring into being a sound interaction between Central Asia and China. Secondly, conduct media diplomacy and participate in the media dialogues and cooperation among the Silk Road countries. Conduct multi-layer, multi-form, and practical cooperation, including jointly organized activities, personnel exchanges, content and channels sharing, research and mutual visits, in order to shape China-related public opinion, and better convey positive response on China's construction of the Economic Belt. Lastly, pay attention to the attitudes that Russia and the United States have on China's construction of the Economic Belt. We need to make clear that China's initiative is open and does not target at any third party, so as to ease other major countries' doubt that China may attempt to expand its influence in Central Asia, and build objective public opinion for the construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt.