OREANDA-NEWS  2016 and 2017 have been tapped as the China-Russia Media Exchange Year, designed to create new opportunities and impetus for media cooperation between the two countries.

Under the program, Russia's mainstream media outlets have carried out a wide range of cooperation with their Chinese counterparts, including the establishment of an exchange mechanism for information.

As an example, in 2016, the Sputnik News & Radio Agency and China Radio International organized a full-media tour along the Silk Road Economic Belt, which allowed reporters from the two sides to conduct in-depth interviews on topics such as regional economic, social, and cultural development.

An app covering "Chinese and Russian headlines" has been launched in July, 2017. It will act as a medium for pictures, text, audio and videos from both countries.

"New media is the future of mass communication development. This bilingual app will enable information to reach its target audiences in a more accurate way," said Vasily Pushkov, director of the international project center with Sputnik News.

In June, 2017, the BRICS Media Forum was held in Beijing, under the theme of "Deepening BRICS Media Cooperation, Promoting Fair and Just International Public Opinion."

An action plan was reached during the forum, saying content, depth and breadth of BRICS media cooperation should be further enhanced in accordance to the needs of BRICS nations.

Pavel Negoica, head of a Russian newspaper, says closer media cooperation among BRICS countries should allow China and Russia to gain more influence in communication among the grouping.

"In modern media, we need to further coordinate our stances, via various mediums including television, radio, print and online. This way we let more people from different regions hear our voices. We should not only inform them about events which have happened in China and Russia, but also convey our opinions on international affairs to them," said Negocia.