Participants pose for a group photo at the Asia-Pacific Communication Forum 2020 (APCF2020) in the Hengqin venue. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG - Nearly 70 distinguished scholars and graduate students from the Asia-Pacific region gathered in Macao and Hengqin on Oct 24 and 25 for a forum to discuss new media and challenges in communication amid the COVID-19 pandemic and in the post-pandemic era.

The Asia-Pacific Communication Forum, hosted by the Macao-based Asia Pacific Communication and Exchange Association (APCEA), was held in a hybrid mode that combines online and offline sessions in Macao and the Hengqin Free Trade Zone in Zhuhai.

Participants pose for a group photo at the Asia-Pacific Communication Forum 2020 (APCF2020) in the Macao venue. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

It was one of the most important communication conferences hosted by the special administrative region since the COVID-19 outbreak.

The forum featured a keynote speech session, during which panelists revolved around topics on Asia-Pacific communication, such as public opinions in the pandemic, media convergence and AI communication, communication theory paradigms and international communication. A big data workshop on artificial intelligence research and digital media environment was also conducted.

Keynote speaker Steve Guo, professor of Hong Kong Baptist University, shares his views in the forum.  (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific Communication Forum Alliance (APCFA), which aims to promote globalization and cultural diversification, was inaugurated.

The APCEA and the School of Communication of East China Normal University are initiators of the alliance. Among its founding members were the Centre for Macau Studies of the University of Macau, the School of Journalism and Communication of Wuhan University, the School of Journalism and Communication of Jinan University, the Beijing Institute of Intercultural Communication, Beijing International Studies University, the School of Internet Communication, Yuesiu Foreign Language College in Shaoxing, and Macau Internet Research Association. 

Zijiang Chair Professor and Dean of the School of Communication of East China Normal University, Lu Xinyu, is one of the keynote speakers. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

The forum is sponsored by the Macao Foundation and co-organized by Centre for Macau Studies of the University of Macau, Zhuhai Da Hengqin Development Co Ltd and its subsidiary Zhuhai Hengqin New Area Elites Human Resources Service Co Ltd.

Keynote speaker Daya Thussu, professor of International Communication at the Hong Kong Baptist University.  (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Keynote speaker Angus Cheong, CEO of ERS e-Research & Solutions, Macao, also a co-founding member and chair of the Asia-Pacific Internet Research Alliance. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Keynote speaker Farland Chang, an Emmy Award-winning international journalist and executive producer and founder of WorldBizWatch. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Keynote speaker Yang Liu, associate professor of Zhongshan University and Deputy Executive Director of APCEA. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

The Asia-Pacific Communication Forum is held on Oct 24-25, 2020. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

The Asia-Pacific Communication Forum is held on Oct 24-25, 2020. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

The audience at the Asia-Pacific Communication Forum. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)