Exchanges between Chinese and British media will promote healthy and stable bilateral relations, a senior official of China's publicity department said.

"The media exchanges will also provide objective and true information for people in the two countries," said Jing Junhai, vice minister of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

He spoke at the opening ceremony of the First China-UK Media Roundtable, held in London on Monday.

Co-hosted by the State Council Information Office of China, the UK Trade & Investment Department and Propeller TV UK, the roundtable focused on a wide range of topics, including the development of media industry, the coverage of major news, the merger of new media with traditional media, and the cooperation between China and British media companies.

"The roundtable was held at a perfect time as President Xi Jinping just concluded his state visit to the UK in October," Jing said.

China and the UK made a joint declaration on building a global comprehensive strategic partnership for the 21st century during Xi's visit. The two countries also both agreed to enhance media exchanges.

Jing called on media companies from both countries to take the opportunity and bring about a golden age for cooperation in the media field.

Jing's speech was echoed by Sue Bishop, director at the UK Trade & Investment Department and Ye Zhenzhen, executive director of Propeller TV UK.

Both Bishop and Ye said that they hoped the roundtable could offer Chinese and British media companies new opportunities for promoting effective cooperation.

At the roundtable, Jing also exchanged views with Ed Vaizey, minister of the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport, on how to further promote cooperation between Chinese and British media companies regarding film and TV production.

The roundtable gathered government officials, business executives, scholars and experts associated with the media industry from both countries.

"The British media is leading in many areas like management, creative, technology, visual products, especially at the forefront on the transformation from traditional media to new media," Yan Zhenyu, deputy editor of Nouvelles d'Europe UK edition, told China Daily, adding that Chinese media can learn a lot of experience from the British peers.

"As the Chinese media has advantages in market, capital and talent, the cooperation and exchange between China and the UK will promote bilateral understanding and the development of the media industry," Yan added.

To contact the reporter: zhangchunyan@chinadaily.com.cn