On October 10, 2009, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met in Diaoyutai State Guesthouse with the senior executives of foreign media who were in Beijing attending the World Media Summit as co-chairs.
Yang said that foreign media play an important role of promoting the communication and mutual understanding between China and the rest of the world. The Chinese media are growing international gradually. It is hoped that Chinese and foreign media would strengthen exchanges and cooperation so as to enable the world to better understand China's development direction and mainstream and see a real China comprehensively and objectively.
Yang pointed out that the international relations at present face unprecedented opportunities and challenges. Countries should first and foremost strengthen solidarity and be committed to win-win cooperation; secondly transcend differences in ideology, respect diversity of world civilizations, seek common ground while putting aside differences and view issues in a more objective and balanced manner; thirdly deepen mutual understanding, overcome obstacles caused by economic, social and cultural differences and enhance mutual trust; and fourthly reinforce international cooperation to tackle such major global issues as financial crisis, climate change and energy and food security.
He also exchanged opinions with the senior executives on international and regional hotspot issues like the international financial crisis, climate change, energy security, the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, Iran's nuclear issue, the Middle East issue and the Afghan issue as well as China's relations with the US, Russia, EU and Japan.
Present at the meeting were Chairman and CEO of News Corporation Rupert Murdoch, AP President Thomas Curley, Editor-in-Chief of Reuters David Schlesinger, Itar-Tass Director-General Vitaly Ignatenko, Kyodo News President Satoshi Ishikawa, Director of BBC Global News Richard Sambrook, President and Managing Director of Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific of Time Warner Steve Marcopoto, and Google Global Vice President Liu Yun. Speaking highly of China's development achievements, they expressed willingness of maintaining and deepening exchanges and cooperation with the Chinese side.