Kenyan and Chinese media organizations on Monday signed a cooperation agreement to promote the sharing of content with the aim of advancing cross-cultural understanding among citizens of the two countries.
The event in the Kenyan capital Nairobi was organized by StarTimes Media (Kenya) Co. Ltd and sponsored by China’s National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA). In attendance were Kenyan government officials and Kenyan and Chinese media executives, as well as content creators.
Edward Kisiang’ani, principal secretary for broadcasting and telecommunications, said cooperation with China in the fields of media and performing arts was key to breaking cultural barriers and sustaining friendship.
“We encourage two-way exchanges where our Kenyan content will also be viewed in China because the more we interact and learn from each other, the fewer the barriers, and we are able to cooperate,” Kisiang’ani said in a statement, read on his behalf by Judy Munyinyi, information secretary in the ministry.
Kisiang’ani also noted that the long-term media partnership with China will enable local broadcasters to fulfill their mandate of informing, educating and entertaining the public.
Dong Xin, the deputy head of NRTA, hailed the cooperation between Chinese and Kenyan media houses, adding that it was vital to build firm bridges of friendship and mutual understanding.
According to Dong, this partnership will foster the sharing of skills and technologies required to improve the development of content that appeals to a multicultural audience.
The chief executive officer of the Kenya Film Commission, Timothy Owase, also said the bilateral media cooperation, particularly in training, co-production and technology adoption, will encourage the growth of the creative economy and create more jobs for local youth.
