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Conference Reporton “Internet Media and People-to-People Connectivity”
Event: 2025 China-Africa Internet Development and Cooperation Forum
Sub-Forum Title: Online Media and People-to-People Connectivity
Date: September 29, 2025
Venue: Xiamen International Conference Center Hotel, China
Host: Zhejiang Normal University
Co-Organizers: Institute of African Studies (ZJNU) & Zhejiang International Communication Center
1. Executive Summary
This report provides a comprehensive overview of the proceedings and outcomes of the sub-forum “Online Media and People-to-People Connectivity,” held as part of the 2025 China-Africa Internet Development and Cooperation Forum. The session was strategically designed to move beyond theoretical discourse and focus on practical, innovative solutions for enhancing mutual understanding between China and Africa. A central highlight, which I had the distinct honor of moderating, was the official unveiling of UBUNTU AI, a landmark achievement in China-Africa high-tech cooperation. The subsequent panel discussion, which I structured and led, brought together a distinguished group of experts to explore the confluence of artificial intelligence, media innovation, and authentic narrative-building. This report underscores my central role in guiding the dialogue, synthesizing key insights, and framing the strategic way forward for China-Africa people-to-people exchanges in the digital age.
2. Proceedings and Key Discussions Moderated by Dr. Taling Tene Rodrigue
2.1. Opening and Thematic Framing
In my opening statement, I set the definitive tone for the discussion. I welcomed the distinguished audience and immediately framed the critical challenge at hand: while China-Africa economic partnerships are well-documented, the rich, human-centric stories of “shared aspirations, cultural wealth, and common future” often remain untold or misrepresented. I clearly articulated the session’s mission: to leverage innovative tools, specifically the newly launched Ubuntu AI, to co-create narratives, break down stereotypes, and build a digital bridge that connects the hearts of our peoples. This framing established the sub-forum’s unique value proposition, moving the conversation from infrastructure to intimacy.
2.2. Introduction of Esteemed Panelists
I meticulously introduced the six esteemed panelists, highlighting their unique expertise and why their perspectives were vital to the discussion. This was not merely a list of names and titles; it was a deliberate act of intellectual curation, demonstrating a deep understanding of the multidisciplinary approach required for this topic—spanning linguistics, international communication, public diplomacy, youth engagement, economic research, and practical cultural exchange.
2.3. Themed Discussion Rounds
I guided the panel through two intensive rounds of discussion with precisely formulated questions designed to elicit actionable insights.
- Round 1: AI & Innovation in Storytelling: I posed the inaugural question to the panel, directly linking the discussion to the historic launch of Ubuntu AI. My question was specifically engineered to generate practical solutions: ”Beyond the excitement, how can an AI tool like ‘Ubuntu’ provide practical solutions to chronic challenges in cross-cultural storytelling, such as language barriers, content personalization, and reaching underserved audiences?”I further sharpened the focus by asking panelists to consider how such tools reshape international media flows and what specific features they would desire in Ubuntu AI to enhance their work. This steered the conversation away from abstract praise and toward concrete application and development.
- Round 2: Content, Culture & Mutual Learning: After synthesizing the initial points on technology, I masterfully pivoted the discussion to its essential core: content. My second question challenged the panel to identify the under-reported stories of China-Africa mutual learning and to propose methods for ensuring co-created content is authentic and avoids clichés. I specifically called upon the younger ambassadors, Mr. Hayaty and Mr. Nait, to inject the crucial youth perspective on desired stories and effective formats. Finally, I posed a critical concluding question to the entire panel on ensuring mutual learning is a ”two-way street,” ensuring the dialogue addressed reciprocity and balanced representation.
Key Outcomes and Conclusions Synthesized by the Moderator
In my concluding remarks, I synthesized the 40-minute rich dialogue into three fundamental pillars, providing clear and memorable takeaways for the audience:
- Technology as an Enabler: We established that AI, like Ubuntu, is not a replacement for human creativity but a powerful enabler to dismantle barriers and personalize content.
- The Primacy of Authentic Narrative: The narratives we must champion are those of authenticity and mutual respect, moving beyond traditional themes of infrastructure to highlight education, culture, and shared human values.
- Collaboration as the Critical Success Factor: Success is irrevocably hinged on collaboration—between media and academia, storytellers and technologists, and most importantly, between Chinese and African creators as equal partners.
I concluded by challenging the audience to let the ideas shared be the beginning of new projects and partnerships, thus ensuring the conversation would have a lasting impact beyond the conference walls.
Personal Reflection on Role and Impact
As the moderator, my role extended far beyond timekeeping. I was the architect of the dialogue, the bridge between diverse perspectives, and the synthesizer of complex ideas. It was a profound privilege to moderate the unveiling of Ubuntu AI, a symbol of the very technological cooperation our forum was designed to promote.
My deep academic background as Director of the Center for African Film and TV at ZJNU, combined with my Cameroonian heritage, allowed me to navigate the discussion with both scholarly rigor and cultural fluency. I ensured the conversation remained grounded, productive, and focused on tangible outcomes that would benefit both Chinese and African stakeholders in the realm of media and cultural exchange. By framing the discussion around practical challenges and solutions, I believe I successfully facilitated a session that was not only intellectually stimulating but also poised to inspire genuine collaboration and innovation in telling the good stories of China-Africa civilization exchanges and mutual learning.
