Participants at the forum exchange ideas during a tea break. Photo by Sascha Matuszak

The third China-Germany Media Forum, sponsored by Global Times and Robert Bosch Stiftung, a major German foundation, started on Sept 2 in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province.

Global Times chief editors, journalists and directors of the forum will attend the four-day event and share views on topics regarding China's western development, the European debt crisis, urban and rural integration, and transport and energy problems confronting big cities as they attempt sustainable development.

Participants of the event are invited to visit the city and learn about its rapid development. As Chengdu is famous for its giant pandas, participants will also visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.

"We have regarded each other as equal dialogue partners over the past two years," said Dr. Ingrid Hamm, executive director of Robert Bosch Stiftung. "This year we will communicate and cooperate in the same attitude."

The China-Germany Media Forum, which was held in Shanghai in 2010 and Berlin in 2011, has become an important platform for Chinese and German mainstream media to exchange ideas and promote mutual understanding.