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The 2026 Africa–Asia Symposium (AA Symposium), organised by Professor Bu Zhong, Dean of the School of Communication at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), was held on 3 June at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University) in South Africa. Under the theme “Bridging Innovation in Communication, AI and Humanities”, the Symposium brought together scholars from universities including the National University of Singapore, City University of Hong Kong, Peking University, Renmin University of China, Communication University of China, Zhejiang University and Wits University. Participants exchanged views on emerging issues such as digital equity, artificial intelligence, the future of media and global communication.

At the invitation of the Faculty of Humanities at Wits University, Professor Zhong visited the University from 2 to 3 June for academic exchange and organised the Symposium as part of his visit. As one of Africa’s leading universities, Wits University has consistently ranked among the top institution in South Africa and across the continent in major international higher education rankings. The Symposium aimed to establish a high-level platform for academic exchange between Africa and Asia, while fostering cross-regional and interdisciplinary research collaboration in communication, AI and humanities.

At the opening of the Symposium, Professor Mucha Musemwa, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at Wits University, delivered welcoming remarks and extended a warm welcome to the academic delegation from Asia. He highlighted the importance of building academic partnerships between universities in Africa and Asia.

Professor Zhong introduced the objectives of the Symposium and the participating scholars. He noted the considerable potential for collaboration between Africa and Asia in areas such as digital communication, AI applications, health communication and media innovation. He also expressed the hope that the exchange would contribute to the development of cross-regional and interdisciplinary research networks.

As co-host of the AA Symposium, Professor Iginio Gagliardone, South Africa-United Kingdom Bilateral Chair in the Digital Humanities at Wits University, welcomed so many Asian scholars to his university for the first time. He said he would like to explore more research collaboration with HKBU in the coming years. He also welcomed more research on the bilateral use of AI in Africa and Asia.

Professor Chris Kabwato at Wits Centre for Journalism introduced investigative reporting in Africa. He hopes to take his students to visit Hong Kong and conduct investigative reporting with journalism students at the School of Communication at HKBU. Professor Raymond Li, Head of the Department of Journalism at HKBU, later extended his warm welcome to Professor Kabwato and his students.

During the first panel session, entitled “The Intersection of Media, Technology, and Global Communication”, Professor Zhong delivered a presentation titled “AI Media Centre at HKBU and Collaboration Initiatives”. He introduced the School of Communication’s latest developments in AI and media research, and international collaboration.

Professor Zhong said that AI is profoundly reshaping journalism and communication, content production and the broader public communication landscape. He stressed that universities should play an active role in building open, collaborative and responsible research platforms, enabling technological innovation to contribute to social development.

The Symposium covered a wide range of topics, including the global digital civilisation survey, media technology and governance, strategic communication for the Healthy China initiative, perceptions of AI communicators, global media and China, translational communication research, and social impact. The discussions reflected the shared interests of African and Asian scholars in communication technologies, humanities research and social innovation.

The Symposium concluded with remarks from Professor Zhong and representatives of Wits University, who reviewed the outcomes of the event and explored opportunities for future collaboration in academic research, talent development, joint projects and international publishing.

The visit and the Symposium not only strengthened ties between HKBU’s School of Communication and Wits University but also opened up new opportunities for long-term collaboration between universities in Asia and Africa in areas such as digital equity, AI communication, innovation in the humanities and health communication.