KASUNDA SECURES INTERNATIONAL MEDIA ROLE TO STRENGTHEN CHINA-AFRICA COMMUNICATION

Jani Grey Kasunda, presidential candidate for Malawi’s 2030 elections and leader of the People’s Revolutionary Party (PRP), has been appointed Honorary Director of the International Communication Center of Gonggong News Agency, a leading Chinese-language media institution based in Hong Kong.

The appointment ceremony took place in Guangzhou, China, on May 25, 2026, where Gonggong News Agency officials formally presented Kasunda with his letter of appointment. The two-year term runs from April 2026 to April 2028.

Presenting the appointment, Huang Weijian, Deputy President of Gonggong News Agency and Director of the International Communication Center, described Kasunda as a key figure in strengthening relations between China and Africa.

“His Excellency Jani Grey Kasunda is a highly respected political leader in Malawi and a staunch practitioner of China-Africa friendly cooperation. This appointment is a key step for Gonggong News Agency to deepen China-Africa media exchanges and expand its international communication footprint in Africa,” said Huang.

He added that the agency was committed to creating stronger media links between the two regions.

“We will join hands with His Excellency Jani Grey Kasunda to open up a two-way channel for information dissemination between China and Africa. We will not only present China’s development achievements and cultural charm to Africa, but also convey Africa’s development voice and diverse civilizations to China and the world.”

In his acceptance speech, Kasunda expressed gratitude for the confidence placed in him and highlighted the growing importance of media in strengthening international partnerships.”The traditional friendship between China and Africa has withstood the test of time. Under the guidance of the Belt and Road Initiative, cooperation between the two sides in areas such as trade, culture, education and health has yielded fruitful results,” he said.

Kasunda emphasized that the media has a crucial role in promoting understanding and eliminating misconceptions between nations.

“As a cross-border communication bridge, the media plays an irreplaceable role in enhancing mutual understanding and eliminating cognitive biases. I am very honoured to become a member of Gonggong News Agency.”

He further pledged to use the position to promote stronger cooperation between media institutions in Malawi, Southern Africa, and China.

“During my term, I will fully mobilize my resources to promote in-depth cooperation between media in Malawi and the Southern African region and Gonggong News Agency. Together, we will explore and share stories of China-Africa cooperation and spread the positive energy of mutual benefit and win-win partnerships.”

Gonggong News Agency said the appointment marks an important milestone in its efforts to expand its international communication network across Africa. The organization plans to work closely with Kasunda on joint reporting projects, cultural exchange programmes, and media training initiatives aimed at strengthening people-to-people ties and fostering greater understanding between China and African nations.

Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Hong Kong, Gonggong News Agency is an internationally recognized Chinese-language media institution that works with several international media and journalism organizations. The agency says it remains committed to promoting global communication and enhancing cooperation between China and the rest of the world.

The appointment was officiated by Huang Weijian, Deputy President of Gonggong News Agency and Director of its International Communication Center, alongside Yin Zheng, Deputy Director of the Center. The event marked a significant step in expanding media cooperation and communication between China and Africa.