The Second India-China Media Forum concludes in Beijing on February 1. Zhou Mingwei (third from the left), President of China International Publishing Group, delievers a speech at the closing ceremony (WANG XIANG)

Media representatives from China and India issued a joint statement calling for closer connections at the Second India-China Media Forum in Beijing on February 1.

Some 100 representatives from around 40 Chinese and Indian media outlets attended the one-day forum, carrying out discussions on how the media can help promote China-India ties.

In the statement, delegates propose a China-India Media Fund financed by the two countries' leading media organizations to promote journalist exchanges and the holding of seminars or conferences.

Participants also agreed to increase the numbers of journalists stationed in both countries, while vowing to eliminate or reduce dependence on news sources from Western countries.

The India-China Media Forum has evolved into a regular platform for exchanges over the past two years, said Zhou Mingwei, President of China International Publishing Group (CIPG), at the closing ceremony of the forum.

"Initial progress has been made in promoting personnel exchanges and information sharing between Chinese and Indian media organizations," he said. "At the same time, we should be keenly aware that our mutual understanding still falls far short of demand at a time when bilateral ties are thriving. It is imperative that we devote more efforts and greater wisdom to expanding China-India media cooperation."

The forum was jointly hosted by the State Council Information Office of China and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India. CIPG, a Beijing-based media conglomerate targeting international audiences, organized the forum together with the External Publicity and Public Diplomacy Division of the Indian MEA.