Weifang Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone signed an agreement with Xinhua News Agency in early November to build an integrated media platform, combining traditional media and online media to better serve local demand for news coverage.

Officials said the zone - ranked No 21 this year among 157 national-level development zones in terms of comprehensive development strength - has paid close attention to news coverage to better guide and serve local residents, as it was called on to do by the central government.

The regional media center has an editorial board, interview center, news generation center, branding and promoting center and offices, to serve various media needs.

It also has Chinese and English-language newspapers, radio broadcasting, a television station, an official website and online information distribution channels on platforms such as WeChat and Sina Weibo.

Xinhua, the State-run press agency, has deep and rich media resources, a strong information distribution capacity and a professional think tank.

The partnership will help the zone take a leading role in building an integrated media platform in Shandong or even in China, according to the zone.

The zone's media center will further enrich its offering, expand and improve live cloud broadcasting capabilities, and grow new media coverage with support from Xinhua.

It will also expand collaboration with Xinhua in generating news coverage, overseas expansion and the training of staff.

China Daily - Xinhua