On July 30, 2013, the 5th China-ROK Media Summit, co-sponsored by the Information Office of the State Council of China and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea (ROK), kicked off in Beijing.

At the event themed on "Enhancing Media Cooperation and Deepening China-ROK Friendship," participants discussed two major topics, namely "the media's role in promoting China-ROK strategic partnership in the new era" and "opportunities and challenges that new media development brings to China-ROK media cooperation."

Li Wufeng, deputy director of the State Council Information Office, delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony. He pointed out that since its inauguration, China-ROK High-level Media Dialogue has shown four characteristics: First, both its scope and participants have been constantly expanded; second, its forms and themes have been continuously innovated; third, the atmosphere of the dialogue has constantly improved; and finally, its effects and influences have been increasingly enhanced.

Park Jong Gil, a vice minister of culture, sports and tourism of ROK, illustrated in his keynote speech that the relationship between the two countries has been further improved since ROK President Park Geun-hye's visit to China, which has turned from the previous "cold politics and warm economy" to today's "hot both politically and economically." He added that media organizations in both countries are facing new environment and situation, and expressed his hope that they will join hands to confront challenges and explore new forms and directions of cooperation through communication.

Participants hailed from not only Chinese media organizations including People's Daily, Xinhua News Agency, CCTV, China News Service, Korean-language magazine China under China Pictorial, but also South Korean organizations and media including the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, JoongAng Ilbo, and 21st Century South Korea-China Exchange Association.

(The author is the staff reporter of China Pictorial's Korean-language magazine China)