Xinhua News helps launch Aegean Times International Media - Major concerns over media freedom in China

The launch of Aegean Times International Media was held by China's official news agency, Xinhua News, on June 28.

Chinese Ambassador to Greece Xiao Junzheng commented on social media about the launch of Aegean Times International Media, saying that he wanted to share with his "Greek friends some great news!"

"On June 28, the launch of Aegean Times International Media was held by China's official news agency, China Xinhua News. This is a new platform for news and information on topics of China-Greece interest in Chinese and Greek versions, focusing on the fields of economy, culture, technology, and shipping. I am positive that it will help promote mutual learning and news exchanges between our two countries," his post added.

According to the outlet's website: "The Sino-Hellenic Information Post is a bilingual (Greek and Chinese) information service platform created by the Greek local media company Aegean Times International Media Co., Ltd. to promote friendly exchanges and cooperation between Greece and China."

"The platform will showcase the results of friendly cooperation and exchanges between the two countries, promote multi-level exchanges and cooperation in economy, trade, culture, education, scientific research, etc., and provide reliable information services and liaison services to individuals and organizations in Greece and China," the About Us section adds.

Although the website states that the platform will "showcase the results of friendly cooperation and exchanges between the two countries," the homepage alone reveals that the main focus is on disseminating China-friendly articles rather than on bilateral ties between Greece and China.

A simple keyword search on The Sino-Hellenic Information Post (on 19 July) for "Greece" or "Greek" yields only one result, a hyperlink to the Embassy of Greece in China. A keyword search for "China" or "Chinese" yields 61 results, mostly articles relating to China's economy, trade and technological developments.

Although the website's Chinese language section is much more focused on Greek news, articles are infrequently published compared to the Greek language section, suggesting that the website's target readership are Greeks rather than Chinese.

Elsewhere, Reporters Without Border ranked China 172 out of 180 surveyed countries in terms of media freedom.

"Major Chinese media groups, such as Xinhua News Agency, China Central Television (CCTV), China National Radio (CNR), and newspapers China Daily, People’s Daily and the Global Times, are state-owned and directly controlled by the authorities. The Propaganda Department of the Chinese Communist Party sends a detailed notice to all media every day that includes editorial guidelines and censored topics," Reporters Without Border wrote.

"In the eyes of the regime, the media’s function is to be the party’s mouthpiece and to impart state propaganda," added the NGO.

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