Situated between China and Kazakhstan, the city of Horgos in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region is actively promoting cultural and people-to-people exchange between the two countries. 

On May 17, representatives of six Kazakhstani media outlets joined with their Chinese counterparts in Horgos for the launch of a media exchange event between the two countries.

A media salon between Chinese and Kazakhstani journalists is launched in Horgos, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on May 17, 2023. (Photo provided to China.org.cn)

The media salon has been held twice so far this year, becoming an important platform for cultural exchange between media professionals of the two countries.

As a border city, Horgos boasts the world's first cross-border free-trade zone – China-Kazakhstan Horgos International Border Cooperation Center – that allows entry of citizens from any country with either a valid passport or exit and entry documents. 

Media representatives attending the salon agree that the event is conductive to bringing media organizations closer, and enabling them to present good stories between China and Kazakhstan.

Roman Botabekov, general director of Turan TV channel of Kazakhstan, attended the first event in May and spoke highly of this new platform. He said the launch of the media salon is of great significance for providing a new window of people-to-people exchange between the two countries.

Botabekov said he would like to invite more colleagues to participate in the event and map out main themes for the future sessions with his Chinese counterparts. 

The second session of media salon is held in Horgos, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on June 10, 2023. (Photo provided to China.org.cn)

A second session was held on June 10, gathering over 20 media representatives from more than 10 media outlets of Kazakhstan and representatives from Chinese media agencies to conduct discussions on further enhancing media cooperation. The event was jointly organized by the Chinese Consulate-General in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and the Publicity department of the Communist Party of China Horgos Municipal Committee.

Jiang Wei, consul general of the Chinese Consulate-General in Almaty, attended the event. Jiang gave high praise to the media's role in promoting people-to-people exchange between the two countries, and encouraged media professionals from both sides to work together and create a favorable environment for the development of bilateral ties between China and Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstani journalists put on Hanfu at the Horgos Chinese Cultural Center in Horgos, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on May 17, 2023. (Photo provided to China.org.cn)

At the event venue, attendees also took part in various cultural activities and learned about traditional Chinese culture. In particular, journalists from Kazakhstan had the opportunity to put on Hanfu, a type of traditional Chinese clothing, while practicing Chinese calligraphy, sampling tea, and watching traditional Chinese song and dance performances.