Lusaka — Zambia said there was need for African countries to strengthen their cooperation in media with China which has advanced in technology, a senior government official said on Thursday.

Dora Siliya, Minister of Information and Broadcasting, said new technology has created a convergence which has disrupted traditional media hence the need for African countries to embrace new technology by cooperating with China.

The Zambian minister, in remarks delivered at the 4th Forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation in Beijing, said the advancement in technology calls for African countries to seriously invest in new technology, according to a statement released by the ministry.

According to her, the Forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation, which has bought together about 400 delegates from 45 African countries, provides a fertile opportunity to deepen cooperation between China and Africa in their collective desire and determination to create an informed and knowledge-based society.

Zambia, she said, viewed the forum as an important platform in facilitating technology transfer from China to Zambia and Africa as a whole.

"This forum has even become more urgent with the arrival of the information communication technologies such as internet, digital broadcasting and others in which China is leading the way," she said.

China's emphasis on cooperation and a win-win outcome had continued to generate favorable conditions for its relations with many African countries, including Zambia, she added.

The Zambian minister, who is leading a delegation from the southern African nation, is also expected to attend a High-Level African Digital Television Development Seminar.