China and 45 African Nations Launch 80 Media Projects

China and representatives from 45 African nations convened in Beijing on August 20, 2026, for the 7th Forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation. The three-day event, themed Share Development Opportunities, Shape the Audio-Visual Future, focused on shifting media relations from basic equipment support toward joint content production and the governance of artificial intelligence.

The National Radio and Television Administration and the African Union of Broadcasting co-hosted the forum, where participants unveiled 80 practical cooperation projects and issued a joint declaration to deepen digital transformation. Chinese officials reported that over 80 Chinese productions have aired in Africa and 80 African programs have aired in China over the last two years.

African officials emphasized the need for two-way storytelling to ensure the continent acts as a producer of knowledge. Discussions highlighted the potential for AI to overcome language barriers, though leaders warned of regulatory risks. Representatives called for African involvement in the creation of AI models to ensure the technology remains responsive to the continent's specific needs.