In brief
At the 7th World Media Summit in Beijing, Wong Chun Wai, chairman of Malaysia’s Bernama, highlighted China’s capacity to aid Global South media through AI technology and international cooperation. He called for a summit agenda that meets the practical needs of media outlets in the developing world and reflected on past visits to Xinjiang that deepen journalistic understanding of China’s rapid development.
On 6 November 2026, Wong Chun Wai, chairman of Malaysia’s national news agency Bernama, told Xinhua in Kuala Lumpur that China is well positioned to play a key role in supporting the development of Global South media through advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and extensive international media partnerships.
Wong, who is currently in Beijing to attend the 7th World Media Summit, said the summit—running from 5 to 9 November under the theme "Media in the Intelligent Age: From Consensus to Action"—should pay greater attention to the pragmatic needs of media organisations, especially those in the Global South. He urged summit organisers to promote concrete cooperation in technology applications and capacity building so that news organisations can adapt to the transformative impact of AI.
"It's very easy to buy a tool and put it in your company," Wong said.
"It's very easy to buy a tool and put it in your company," Wong told Xinhua, underscoring that adopters must consider how AI can fundamentally reshape newsroom operations.
China’s AI and Global South Partnerships
Wong cited Malaysia as an example of a country that can benefit from China’s AI initiatives, noting the nation’s geographical proximity and frequent exchanges create valuable opportunities for adopting cutting‑edge technology. He stressed that by embracing AI, media organisations can enhance their capabilities, streamline production, and broaden audience engagement.
He added that AI is not merely a new tool but a catalyst for rethinking news gathering, fact‑checking, and audience analysis. Through collaborative projects and shared platforms, he said, media outlets can learn from each other and move forward together.
Reflection on the 6th World Media Summit
Wong recalled his participation in the 6th World Media Summit held in Xinjiang in 2024. He remembered visiting Kashgar and seeing the region’s rapid industrialisation:
"When they passed the cotton fields, they saw a lot of machines, machines that were being used to cultivate the cotton," Wong recalled, noting some participants said, "This is the real Xinjiang."
He said the trip provided journalists with a firsthand understanding of China beyond printed reports, showing how technological changes were unfolding on the ground. This experience, he argued, underlines the importance of enabling media practitioners to observe developments directly.
Wong concluded by affirming that China’s commitment to cooperation and its AI expertise could help Global South media organisations navigate the challenges of the digital era. He urged the summit to create a platform for practical discussions on AI applications and newsroom transformation, enabling media actors across borders to share lessons and drive collective progress.
