Marqas Concludes Visit to China, Presents Lebanese Media Reforms at World Summit

Information Minister Paul Marqas concluded his visit to China after participating in the proceedings of the 7th World Media Summit, hosted by the capital Beijing at the Great Hall of the People under the theme "Media in the Intelligent Age: From Consensus to Action." He delivered Lebanon's address at the summit, attended by Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), representing the UN Secretary-General; Beijing Mayor Yin Yong; and numerous local and foreign government officials representing approximately 100 countries, along with representatives from nearly 200 media institutions and global news agencies.

Marqas had held a series of meetings with Chinese officials discussing ways to strengthen bilateral relations and expand horizons for media and institutional cooperation. These included a meeting with Cao Shumin, Head of the National Radio and Television Administration, at her office in Beijing, attended by Lebanese Ambassador to China Milad Raad. Discussions with the Chinese side also covered ways to support Radio Lebanon, which is currently undergoing a modernization workshop, particularly through providing necessary equipment and offering technical and artistic support to enhance its capabilities. In this context, Minister Marqas handed the Chinese side a list of the radio station's needs and technical requirements, inviting the Chinese minister to visit Beirut. She praised the "pioneering role of Lebanese journalists and media institutions and their prominent influence in the region," expressing "China's readiness to support efforts towards its renaissance and development" and promising to accept the invitation.

In a related context, Minister Marqas met twice with the Chinese Ambassador to Lebanon, Chen Chuan Dong, on the eve of his departure, to prepare for the visit and open channels of cooperation with the China International Development Cooperation Agency, which specializes in external aid. The goal was to provide support to the Ministry of Information and its institutions through technical and logistical capacity-building projects.

During his speech at the summit, Minister Marqas presented the most significant reform steps achieved by Lebanon in the media sector. Foremost among these were the appointment of the board of directors for Tele Liban and the commencement of revitalizing it and public media outlets, as well as organizing and digitizing its archive. He noted the "approval of the new media law within the framework of the continuous legislative development workshop, which includes completing the draft law regulating the commercial and professional activities of content creators and digital bloggers, and preparing the national plan to rationalize internet use for children, currently coordinated by the Ministry of Information." He highlighted the "importance of benefiting from the Chinese experience in artificial intelligence and modern technology," calling, in light of the Lebanese experience, for "activating efforts to protect journalists and ensure a safe and sound environment for them first."

Minister Marqas's visit comes within the framework of enhancing Lebanon's presence in international media forums, highlighting the true image of Lebanon regarding establishing the foundations for the return of state authority, and expanding the network of partnerships with media and development institutions.