In a landmark step for Sino-African media collaboration, 18 national media outlets from Liberia concluded a two-week Seminar on Media Communication Capacity for Liberia in Changsha, China, culminating in strategic cooperation agreements with Changsha Online, a leading Chinese news platform. The initiative, held in China’s UNESCO City of Media Arts, marks a significant milestone in enhancing cross-border media relations, technological exchange, and cultural understanding.
The seminar, which ran until April 14, combined professional training with immersive cultural experiences. Participants from prominent Liberian media organizations—including Liberia Broadcasting System, FrontPage Africa, Daily Observer, Women Voices Newspaper, EYE TV Liberia 2, and #Reports231—received training in international communication, AI technology, new media operation, headline news production, media convergence, and team management.
In addition to classroom learning, participants visited iconic sites such as Orange Isle and Jinggang Ancient Town, and explored local media institutions, including Hunan Daily News, Changsha Evening News, and Changsha Online. These experiences offered first-hand insights into innovative digital journalism practices and the integration of traditional and new media technologies.
The seminar culminated with the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement between Changsha Online and the participating Liberian media outlets. Under this framework, Changsha Online will serve as a Chinese news publicity and reporting partner for Liberian media. Both sides agreed to share resources, jointly develop news content, and establish free dedicated columns on each other’s platforms to highlight positive stories of China-Africa cooperation and friendship.
“The advanced experience of Changsha Online in the digital field will greatly assist us in technological upgrade and content innovation,” said H. Webster Clayeh, Senior Executive Mansion reporter at FrontPage Africa. “This collaboration will allow voices from Liberia and Africa to be more effectively conveyed in China, while enabling Liberians to better understand developments in China.”
Participants highlighted the cultural and professional benefits of the program. Varney Shakeh Kamara, Supervisor of Audio/Visual at the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs, emphasized the opportunity to integrate cultural storytelling with digital media, sharing lessons learned in Changsha with Liberians through social platforms.
On behalf of Changsha Online, Jiang Guo, Party Secretary and General Manager, described the partnership as a “door-to-door international communication mode” leveraging mutual resources to advance connectivity, understanding, and friendship. Jiang stressed that media collaboration is pivotal to promoting long-term Sino-African relations and sustainable cooperation across multiple sectors.
Analysts view this initiative as an innovative model of cross-continental media cooperation, combining technical knowledge exchange, resource sharing, and cultural diplomacy. By linking Chinese and Liberian media organizations, the partnership enhances the capacity of African journalists to report internationally while creating a platform for telling authentic stories about African development and cultural heritage.
The cooperation also aligns with the broader objectives of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), demonstrating tangible results in media capacity-building and cultural diplomacy. Observers note that the integration of AI technology, digital storytelling, and collaborative reporting positions both sides for future growth in news coverage, public diplomacy, and cross-cultural engagement.
As Liberia’s media industry strengthens its ties with Chinese platforms, this collaboration signals a new era of technological advancement, mutual understanding, and sustainable partnership, highlighting the role of media as a bridge between continents and cultures.
