Kantipur Media Group (KMG) and China’s state television, CCTV, on Friday signed a bilateral agreement, which provides a framework for content exchanges between the leading media houses in Nepal and China.

KMG Chairman Kailash Sirohiya and Vice-president of China Central Television (CCTV) Wei Dichun signed the agreement in the presence of Cai Fuchao, China’s Minister of State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT) and senior members of the KMG.

Other members of the Chinese delegation present at the signing ceremony were Ms Ma Li, Director-General of International Cooperation Department of SAPPRFT; Zhang Xiaochen, Director of General Office of SAPPRFT; and Yang Yong, Director of International Cooperation Department of SAPPRFT. Members of CCTV New Delhi bureau and Chinese Embassy officials also attended the event.

At the ceremony, Chinese Minister Cai stressed that the exchange between two major media houses in China and Nepal will further strengthen both the bilateral and people-to-people relations, as the media play a crucial role in mutual understanding. “After the earthquake [last year], our media and CCTV had extensive coverage on the earthquake but they also covered the grit and determination demonstrated by the Nepali people in times of adversity. We hope to build up on our Nepal coverage further in order to promote Nepal’s tourism.”

KMG Chairman Sirohiya said that content exchange will help deepen bilateral ties and especially help Nepal’s tourism sector. “Since we have a strong tourism industry and China has the great capacity to send travellers to our country, the media coverage will boost our tourism industry.”

Sirohiya hoped that the ties between the two media houses and the peoples will remain strong and both sides can help each other with content sharing. The KMG brings together Nepal’s two major daily newspapers, a news magazine, a weekly tabloid and a monthly magazine, in addition to a television network and a leading private radio station.

The Chinese side stressed that the singing was an important milestone in bilateral ties and media exchanges between the two nations.

“Our cooperation should be based on mutual understanding and trust,” said CCTV Vice-president Wei.

In its 58th year, CCTV is China’s leading TV company, with 42 channels, of which 25 are open channels while the rest are paid ones. It operates its service in six languages and has 70 bureaus across the world, including its South Asia headquarters in New Delhi.