Media brainstorm improved reporting on Belt and Road Initiative

About 20 journalists and editors from China, Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America last week met in Yangon, Myanmar, to discuss ways to improve reporting on China’s Belt and Road Initiative to facilitate better understanding, promote transparency, and increase accountability.
The workshop was jointly organised by Chinadialogue, Earth Journalism Network and the Myanmar Journalism Institute.
The Belt and Road Initiative was instigated in 2013 by the Chinese government. It is an ambitious effort to improve regional cooperation and connectivity on a trans-continental scale.

Media personnel exchange ideas during the Belt and Road Initiative workshop in Yangon, Myanmar.

The initiative aims to strengthen infrastructure, trade, and investment links between China and the region and other parts of the world.
The scheme consists primarily of the Silk Road Economic Belt, linking China to Central and South Asia and onward to Europe, and the New Maritime Silk Road, linking China to the nations of South East Asia, the Gulf Countries, North Africa, and on to Europe.
The Belt and Road Initiative has the potential to transform the economic environment in the region. However, there are some challenges relating to social, economic and environmental issues in implementing some investment projects related to the initiative.
Journalists play a crucial role in improving global understanding of the initiative. Effective reporting can help recipient country stakeholders better engage with the scheme, in ways that will benefit local communities and domestic development.
During the workshop, the participants learned about the implementation of the initiative in Myanmar and some of the challenges and implications.
They learned about the ongoing implementation of a new city project in Yangon and about Myanmar’s economic and social development strategy plan.
The workshop also discussed cooperation among journalists, especially with Chinese journalists, towards better reporting on the Belt and Road Initiative.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update June 3, 2019)