Chairperson of Public Service Media (PSM), Aminath Namza, has met Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives Kong Xianhua following her participation in an international media training programme in China, where she discussed applying the experience to strengthen public service broadcasting in the Maldives and expanding future cooperation between Maldivian and Chinese media organisations.
During the meeting, Chairperson Namza shared key takeaways from the Global Development Initiative – International Media Youth Training Program, held in Beijing and Sanya from 07-18 July. The programme brought together 34 media professionals from 20 countries, including chief executives, media executives, managers, journalists and communications specialists, to exchange knowledge on China's development experience, media innovation, digital transformation, international communication and sustainable development under the Global Development Initiative (GDI).
Namza thanked the Chinese government and Ambassador Kong for facilitating her participation, describing the programme as a valuable opportunity to gain perspectives that could help strengthen public service media while fostering greater international media cooperation.
Namza said one of the programme's strongest themes was the principle of placing people at the centre of development, an approach that was consistently emphasised throughout the training. According to Namza, the philosophy closely reflects the mission of public service media, where delivering accurate, meaningful and people-centred journalism remains a core responsibility.
Namza also reflected on delivering the closing address at the programme's graduation ceremony in Sanya on behalf all the participants, where she spoke about the media's role in building understanding between nations and promoting peace through responsible journalism. She said the media has the power not only to inform but also to connect people, encourage mutual respect and contribute to a more peaceful and inclusive world.
She also briefed the ambassador on plans to work with the PSM team to translate the knowledge and best practices gained during the programme into practical initiatives. These include exploring cooperation with Chinese media institutions in professional capacity building, knowledge exchange, innovation in public service broadcasting and strengthening people-to-people ties through the media.
Ambassador Kong congratulated Namza on completing the programme and welcomed continued cooperation between Chinese and Maldivian media organisations. He said dialogue and media exchanges play an important role in strengthening mutual understanding and friendship.
The Global Development Initiative – International Media Youth Training Program was organised by the Global Development Promotion Center of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA). The programme featured lectures, field visits and professional exchanges covering China's economic development, digital transformation, poverty alleviation, green development, international communication, media innovation and the Hainan Free Trade Port.
Namza said the programme broadened her understanding of China's development journey while providing opportunities to build lasting professional networks with media leaders from around the world. She added that the experience would support the continued development of public service media in the Maldives while creating opportunities for deeper cooperation between Maldivian and Chinese media institutions.