Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 23 July 2023, the first international conference on the dissemination and exchange of information on the Internet "Hello Silk Road" was successfully held in the city of Karamay of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (North-Western China).

The event was organized by the Information Bureau of the People’s Government of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Republic, the People’s Government of the city of Karamay of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Republic and the Huanqiuwang news portal. Support in organizing the conference was provided by the China Internet Development Fund.

The conference brought together over 200 scholars and experts in the field of international communication, representatives of Chinese and foreign media and Internet celebrities from more than 20 countries, who discussed the prospects for cooperation between China and countries along the Belt and Road in the field of international communication.

Head of the Administrative Department Zheng Jian noted in his remarks to the People’s Daily that this year is the tenth anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, and the Hello Silk Road conference was held at a very opportune moment. Efforts from various sides are needed to promote cultural exchanges between countries and regions along the Belt and Road, he said.

The event was also attended by representatives of the media of Uzbekistan: Uzdaily.uz, Podrobno.uz and the TV channel "Renessans TV". Speaking with a report, Andrey Teshaev, Editor-in-Chief of the Podrobno.uz News Agency, in particular, noted the following:

“Today the planet lives in a new information age, caused by the explosive development of technology. In such a situation, the influence of information on all aspects of society is obvious, and it is growing every day, no longer just shaping the agenda in one single country, but erasing boundaries and borders throughout the world. At the same time, it is important to understand that in the modern world, information is a commodity no less valuable than gold, oil or other resources. Therefore, journalism has long turned into a tough competitive environment, where there is no place for unprofessionalism.”

According to Mederbek Shermetaliev, director of the Kyrgyz National News Agency Kabar, the prospects are opening up for the Central Asian Republics within the framework of the Belt and Road, and the media need to widely and easily convey to citizens the goals and objectives of the high-level strategic partnership established between China and the countries Central Asia.

Karamay Mayor Chen Kai, in turn, said that Karamay will continue to expand openness to the outside world and make efforts to build the "Belt and Road" and create a community of common destiny for mankind.

According to the organizers, the success of this event allows us to say with confidence that it will become an annual event. So, for example, the planning of its holding next year has already begun.