AKP Phnom Penh, October 21, 2026 --

Cambodia has outlined three core priorities to reinforce ASEAN-China media cooperation, focusing on the ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI), joint content production respecting cultural diversity, and creating opportunities for young media professionals and resource-limited organisations.

The priorities were highlighted by H.E. Prak Thaveak Amida, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Information, representing H.E. Neth Pheaktra, Minister of Information, during the opening ceremony of the 8th ASEAN-China Media Week on Oct. 19 in Beihai, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. The event was held under the theme "Empowerment via AI, Co-creation, and Shared Future."

Speaking on the occasion, H.E. Prak Thaveak Amida emphasised that the event serves as a valuable platform for translating shared vision into practical action, coinciding with the 5th anniversary of the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2026. Through storytelling and information sharing, media programmes can help peoples from both regions gain a deeper mutual understanding of their daily lives, cultures, and aspirations.

Regarding the first priority, he noted that AI can assist in translation, subtitling, and programme production to break through language barriers. However, utilising this technology requires human editorial oversight, rigorous verification, respect for intellectual property, enhanced capabilities to detect manipulated content, and clear disclosure of AI-generated content when it carries a risk of misleading the public.

For the second priority, Cambodia encouraged ASEAN and Chinese media entities to collaborate throughout the entire workflow – from narrative development to translation and broadcast – to produce engaging and educational content that reflects authentic experiences while respecting cultural diversity. Initiatives such as the ASEAN-China Short Film Contest, dubbed content showcases, and co-broadcasting activities were cited as key avenues to drive this synergy.

The third priority focuses on ensuring an inclusive shared future by extending opportunities to all stakeholders, particularly young media professionals and organisations with limited resources. He underscored the importance of the ASEAN-China Youth Presenter Camp in building skills and long-term networking, alongside peer exchange programmes that enable content creators to leverage emerging technologies.

H.E. Prak Thaveak Amida affirmed that these priorities directly align with Phase 1 of the Royal Government of Cambodia's Pentagonal Strategy, particularly in human capital development and digital transformation. The Ministry of Information is actively modernising public media, sharpening professional skills, tackling disinformation, and boosting public media literacy to foster critical thinking.

Cambodia also highly valued its long-standing friendship with China and the ongoing cooperation under the "Hexagonal Diamond" framework. He expressed Cambodia's commitment to expanding audiovisual exchanges, technical training, and digital broadcasting cooperation with China’s National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) and Chinese media partners.

Concluding his address, the Undersecretary of State reiterated Cambodia's readiness to work alongside ASEAN member states and China to translate the event’s theme into tangible actions.

He encouraged relevant institutions to sustain momentum and follow up on post-event initiatives, stressing that the true value of cooperation lies in reaching new audiences, upgrading media professionals' skill sets, and fostering deeper mutual understanding between the peoples of ASEAN and China.

By K. Rithy Reak