Madagascar to reinforce media cooperation with China:Premier

Editor-in-Chief of China's Xinhua News Agency He Ping (2nd R) hands over digital office equipment donated by Xinhua News Agency to Malagasy news agency ANTA, in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Aug. 1, 2012. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

TANANARIVO, August 1 (Xinhua) -- Madagascar will further develop its relations of friendship with China in general, and strengthen cooperation in the field of media in particular, Malagasy Prime Minister of the transitional government Jean Omer Beriziky said on Wednesday when receiving He Ping, Editor in chief of Xinhua News Agency.
Madagascar will further develop cultural exchanges and cooperation in the field of media with China, so that the presses in both countries will bring a more active contribution in promoting understanding and friendship between the two peoples,  M. Beriziky told Xinhua delegation led by He Ping.
Berizky said, based on a long-standing friendship, Madagascar and China have extended bilateral cooperation in various fields. He said his country expects more support from China, particularly in the development of infrastructures, social areas and cultural exchanges.
With regard to the Xinhua News Agency, qualified as "international news agency" by the head of the Malagasy government, more cooperation in multiple forms is expected in order to deepen mutual understanding between the two countries, Beriziky said.
  He Ping, Xinhua's Editor in chief reiterated the importance the Chinese government attaches to cultural exchanges with African countries, as was emphasized by the Chinese President Hu Jintao at the 5th ministerial meeting of Forum of sino-African cooperation ended last July.
"As China's official news agency and a media of international influence, Xinhua has the duty to play a more active role in intensifying contacts and cooperation between the media of both countries," announced He.
"With the aim to contribute more to the consolidation and development of friendship between both peoples, Xinhua is committed to pursuing its coverage in a general, objective and balanced style, of the progress achieved in Madagascar," concludes He.
Arrived on Tuesday evening in Madagascar for a two-day visit, the Xinhua delegation also visited Madagascar's Taratra National News Agency (ANTA) on Wednesday. "Xinhua will share her experiences with Malagasy presses to meet the challenge of digital age which marks the media landscape of today," said He when proceeding the ceremony of donation of multimedia materials to ANTA. (Xinhua)