ST. PETERSBURG, Russia, June 25 -- Chinese and Russian media should cooperate more closely to advance the two countries' relations, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) said here Thursday.

As China-Russia relations have been making great strides, media setups of both sides should deepen exchanges and cooperation in the spirit of mutual trust, Liu Qibao, head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, said in a keynote speech at the China-Russia Media Forum.

Liu, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said media cooperation should center on the two countries' major strategic blueprints, initiatives and projects, so as to jointly boost the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination.

He also called on Chinese and Russian media to jointly facilitate the integration of China's Silk Road Economic Belt initiative with the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union framework.

Furthermore, he said, both sides' media should work together to safeguard the outcomes of the victory of World War II and international justice and promote cultural exchanges and mutual learning, in order to make greater contributions to consolidating the basis of the two countries' friendship, enhancing mutual strategic trust, and upholding their development interests.

In his speech, Liu also said the new-media era has redefined the way of getting and spreading information, which has provided a rare opportunity and favorable conditions for developing countries and emerging markets to strengthen international communication, gain their say on the global arena, and catch up with their competitors.

The CPC official shared China's experience in improving its media's ability in international communication.

The China-Russia Media Forum, which focuses on how to improve international communication in the era of all media, kicked off here Thursday.

Participants will also discuss the media's role in promoting the integration of the two countries' development strategies and boosting new-media exchanges and cooperation between China and Russia.