IRNA calls for enhanced media cooperation with Xinhua

'IRNA can be a strategic partner for Xinhua not only in Tehran but also in the Middle East,' Managing Director of the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) Zia Hashemi said on Monday.

The IRNA chief said that Iran can become a center for cooperation among the countries lying along the Silk Road.

Deputy Chief of Xinhua News Agency Kh Peng, for his part, referred to the Western media propaganda against Iran and China and called for increase of cooperation between Xinhua and IRNA to show the real face of the two countries to the world.

'Iran plays an important role in the One Belt One Road Initiative,' he added.

On the sidelines of the today gathering in China's Hainan, Hashemi held separate meetings with media directors from Pakistan, Lebanon, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Thailand, Nepal, the UAE and Sri Lanka.

The four-day Boao Forum for Asia, also known as Asia's Davos, is held annually in which IRNA managing director delivers a speech.

Launched in 2001, Boao has been considered as a platform to build Asian consensus, promote regional cooperation and advance the continent's influence on the world stage.

About 80 heads of media from 50 countries are attending the Boao 2018.

9191**1396

Follow us on Twitter @IrnaEnglish