The communication landscape between China and Pakistan is entering in a new phase of media diplomacy. Over the decades, the two nations have primarily collaborated through traditional media to narrate their stories of bilateral relations, common development and prosperity, particularly in relation to China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Digital media has established a brand-new world today. It permits journalists, academics, young content producers and common people to take part in the development of the understanding of this partnership.
A more human-focused and technology-driven communication ecosystem will provide greater opportunities to the two nations to enhance cooperation as well as to respond to the western baseless narratives on Pak-China relations. Joint digital research and documentary projects are also one of the biggest opportunities. Conventional media in the two nations have been significant in reporting infrastructures and economic collaboration but the internet platforms can incorporate dimensions of human aspects and details that were previously hard to record.
There can be collaborative multimedia projects in which the voices of Gwadar, Kashgar, Gilgit, Shanghai, Lahore, Islamabad and Beijing can be featured so as to enable the global audiences to visualize the social change that CPEC is producing to communities. The entrepreneurs, students, engineers and farmers with whose lives connectivity and development touched could be featured in Tik Tok and YouTube series created by Chinese and Pakistani young journalists.
As soon as the human aspect is put into the middle of the story, it becomes more believable and recognizable.There is also a possibility of using digital media to counter some of the stereotypes that may persist around China and CPEC that are circulated by some quarters in the international circles. Simple topics like energy projects, industrial collaboration or professional training can be divided into short videos, interactive explainers, infographics and podcasts.
Pakistani journalists that have studied in China or were or have visited the CPEC sites may use their experiences in local languages and Chinese content creators may demonstrate their followers the cultural richness and diversity of the cities and villages in Pakistan. These kinds of exchanges are better able to cut through the misinformation than the usual statements or reports since audiences have a tendency to believe the first-hand experience.The digital transformation of China provides significant learning opportunities to the Pakistani media. Such digital platforms as Bilibili and Douyin demonstrate how the inventive forms and the spaces of youth may co-exist along with knowledgeable information.
Online classes are delivered to the rural population in China. Such models may be altered to fit the Pakistani audiences to describe the CPEC-associated technologies or climate-friendly practices or innovations in agriculture. Such communication does not only make information available but also encourages participation that builds trust in people.The other potential field is the application of the digital innovation to cross-border academic cooperation. Webinars and digital archives can enable scholars in both nations to collaborate in the creation of research on communication, development and regional integration.
A China-Pakistan Digital Media Lab can be formed to observe the online opinion and social trends as well as training the future generation of journalists who know what is sensitive in the global discourse. These spaces would assist in developing a common intellectual basis in future collaboration.Combining the influence of the newspaper and TV with the reach of social media could be possible through integrated newsrooms. As an illustration a Pakistani news outlet of great size might jointly produce a documentary with a Chinese media outlet and the same footage may become a series of short episodes on TikTok or Douyin. This multi platform strategy helps to make sure that all audiences regardless of their age are able to receive the same message using the various formats. It also establishes balance between the old and new types of journalism that is important in the long term and stable collaboration.The building of digital narratives is much more than the creation of promotional communications. It is able to create new platforms of cultural exchange and common creativity.
The collaboration on joint music videos, traveling videos, playing games and the virtual tourism project can explore the Chinese youth to Pakistani heritage and the young Pakistani to the rich modern culture of China. China-Pakistan startup forums or virtual exhibitions can be held on such platforms as LinkedIn or business networks specific to a region. Technological and entrepreneurial influencers can emphasize the potential of E-Commerce and AI, green energy and vocational education. The second stage of the cooperation between China and Pakistan is going to be decided not by the works created on the ground but also the stories narrated on the internet. The digital media provide each of the two societies with the opportunity to define these narratives collaboratively in their own voices with precision creativities and mutual respect.
Through integrating the trustworthiness of conventional media and the dynamism of digital platforms the two nations will create a communication ecosystem that will establish a new pattern in the international collaboration in the digital age.
The writer is a media fellow of China International Press and Communication Centre and can be connected and zamirasadi@gmail.com
