Media Integration and Development Forum 2017 kicked off in Shenzhen on Saturday, as media tycoons and industry leaders gather to discuss ways to promote better development in the media industry.

The annual event, launched in 2015, is co-organized by People's Daily and Shenzhen municipal government.

Yang Zhenwu, head of People's Daily, said that to achieve integrated development, it is essential for media to embrace the internet and drive innovation.

"Several years of exploration fully demonstrates that under new conditions, media still have wide space for development in the area of content with continuous innovation," he said.

It also shows that the traditional mainstream media fully have the condition and capability to make good use of the internet to increase their communication capability and influence, Yang said.

Over recent years, development of internet technology has brought significant changes to people's lifestyles, pushing traditional media to transform by integrating with new media as more and more people turn to read news online.

"We are surprised to see the process and achievements of traditional media actively exploring ways to make reforms and innovation," said Pony Ma Huateng, chairman and chief executive officer of internet giant Tencent Holdings Ltd.

"The most important role for Tencent to play in this process is to provide bottom-level technological capability, such as cloud computing, big data, internet of things, etc."

He said the company will continue to support the country's policies in media integration to create a harmonious and positive public opinion atmosphere.

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