Asaf signs a memorandum of cooperation with the head of the Xinhua News Agency, Minister Fu Hua, and briefs him on the political developments

SadaNews - The General Supervisor of Official Media, Minister Ahmed Asaf, signed a memorandum of understanding for news cooperation today, Friday, with the head of the Chinese "Xinhua" News Agency, Minister Fu Hua, and briefed him on the latest political developments in Palestine.

During his meeting with Minister Hua and several officials from the agency, attended by the Charge d'Affaires of the State of Palestine to the People's Republic of China, Shadi Abu Zarqa, Minister Asaf praised the role of "Xinhua" in covering events in Palestine, especially during the war on the Gaza Strip, highlighting the suffering of our people and conveying their voice to the world.

Minister Asaf appreciated the positions of the People's Republic of China, both leadership and government, as well as its people, for their steadfast support of our Palestinian people and their just cause, and for standing by Palestine in international forums.

He reviewed the difficult conditions under which Palestinian media personnel operate due to being targeted and pursued by the Israeli occupation forces, noting that 254 journalists, including martyrs from the official media institution, have been killed since October 7, 2023.

He pointed out that the occupation does not only pursue journalists but also targets Palestinian media institutions, including the Public Authority for Radio and Television, whose headquarters in Gaza were bombed, and it shut down their office and prevented their work in Jerusalem and the 1948 territories.

Minister Asaf noted that the occupation authorities continue to prevent foreign journalists from entering the Gaza Strip to perform their roles, in a clear attempt to cover up their crimes there and to prevent them from shedding light on the truth and conveying it to global public opinion.

He stated: Despite all these circumstances and the great dangers faced by journalists in Palestine, they insist on continuing their work, believing in the justice of the Palestinian cause and recognizing the importance of promoting and defending the Palestinian narrative in the face of the misleading Israeli narrative.

In the political context, Minister Asaf reviewed the latest field developments and political circumstances in Palestine, particularly the difficult humanitarian situation facing our people in the Gaza Strip, and the Israeli escalation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

Minister Asaf discussed with Minister Hua enhancing cooperation in all media fields, especially in training and exchanging expertise in artificial intelligence, digital media, and media technology.

The General Supervisor of Official Media discussed with the Chinese minister ways to support Palestinian media and give space for Palestinian news and narratives in the Chinese media landscape, especially in light of the repercussions of the Israeli war on Gaza and the colonial expansion in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

For his part, the head of the Chinese Xinhua News Agency, Minister Fu Hua, affirmed his country's supportive positions for the Palestinian people and their just cause.

He expressed his readiness to enhance joint cooperation with Palestinian official media in all fields, indicating that "Xinhua" follows Palestinian affairs through the Palestinian News and Information Agency "Wafa," emphasizing the importance of the agreement to enhance bilateral cooperation.

The signing of the memorandum of understanding comes to strengthen relations between Palestine and the People's Republic of China, solidify mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, and enhance exchange and cooperation between the two countries in the field of news dissemination, and play an effective role in promoting the development and renewal of Global South countries and mutual learning between civilizations.

The memorandum of understanding stipulates the implementation of mutual cooperation between the two sides in exchanging news and media products, employee exchanges, organizing training courses and workshops for editorial and technical personnel, and conducting high-level mutual visits to enhance mutual understanding on issues of cooperation between the two sides.

The meeting included participation from the Palestinian side, including the Coordinator of International Unions, the Director General of Training and Development at the Public Authority for Radio and Television, Rima Al-Jamra, and the Head of the Minister's Office, Muhammad Khadr.