A China Media Group (CMG) documentary series spotlighting Chinese President Xi Jinping's cultural vision premiered Monday on mainstream media in Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states, ahead of the bloc's upcoming summit.
Titled "The Heritage Guardian", the series vividly narrates stories about Xi's dedication to the inheritance and development of fine traditional Chinese culture, while showing his profound reflections on cultural confidence and his deep affection for preserving cultural heritage and carrying on historical traditions.
The stories display the places where Xi has worked, and feature interviews with people who have worked with him. The production illustrates China's efforts in the new era to explore the roots of civilization and safeguard cultural heritage, while also highlighting distinctive aspects of Chinese culture for international audiences.
The series started to be broadcast Monday on mainstream media outlets in SCO member states, including Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Iran, and Belarus.
A launch ceremony was held in Beijing on Monday, where Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif sent congratulatory letters, warmly celebrating the broadcast of the series.
CMG President Shen Haixiong, also vice minister of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, joined Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Nurlan Yermekbayev, and Bolotbek Tillebaev, director general of the National Television and Radio Corporation of Kyrgyz Republic, in delivering speeches at the event.
Oleg Dobrodeev, CEO of the All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company delivered a video speech.
Tianjin Municipality, a major port city in north China, will host the largest-ever SCO Summit on Aug 31 and Sept 1, with leaders from more than 20 countries and heads of 10 international organizations set to attend the event.
CMG's cultural documentary series airs on mainstream media in SCO countries
CMG's cultural documentary series airs on mainstream media in SCO countries
CMG's cultural documentary series airs on mainstream media in SCO countries
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
