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April 24, 2012

The PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY and the XINHUA NEWS AGENCY, hereafter referred to as the Participants,

CONSIDERING the Memorandum of Understanding between the Presidential Communications Operations Office and the State Council Information Office of the People’s Republic of China on Friendly Exchanges and Cooperation signed on 31 August 2011 in Beijing, China which calls for “deeper and wider exchanges and cooperation between the media” of the Republic of the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China;

[RECALLING the Agreement of Exchange of News between the Philippine News Agency and Hsinhua [Xinhua?] News Agency, signed on 13 December 1978, which has already expired;]

[REITERATING their adherence and implementation to the consensus reached in the 1978 Agreement of Exchange of News between the Philippine News Agency and Hsinhua News Agency;]

DESIRING to enhance cooperation and strengthen mutual ties and linkages between them;

HAVE DECIDED TO ENTER INTO THIS IMPLEMENTING ARRANGEMENT, in accordance with their respective laws and regulations:

PARAGRAPH 1
OBJECTIVES

This Arrangement will promote and establish cooperation in the field of news gathering and dissemination.

PARAGRAPH 2
AREAS OF COOPERATION

The Participants will cooperate through the following activities:

 
1. Exchange of information relating to news gathering and dissemination plans and strategies; 
2. Training on business practices and methodologies in news gathering and dissemination; 
3. Personnel exchanges in areas of interest to both parties; 
4. Necessary assistance to the other party’s resident correspondents and accredited journalists dispatched to each other’s country on the principle of reciprocity; and 
5. Other activities related to news gathering and dissemination as may be mutually agreed upon.

PARAGRAPH 3
IMPLEMENTATION

 
1. Both Sides will appoint focal persons to identify, formulate, review, implement and monitor projects and activities under this Arrangement. 
2. Both Sides may enter into specific arrangements to clarify obligations, funding and other matters for mutually agreed upon projects or activities under this MOU. 
3. Both Sides may establish Working Groups or ad-hoc task forces as may be necessary, to jumpstart the projects and activities to be undertaken under this MOU. 
4. Both Sides may hold meetings as may be necessary, at any venue as may be mutually agreed upon.

PARAGRAPH 4
FUNDING

Unless otherwise agreed upon, each Participant will shoulder its costs, including costs for international travel and personal expenses, for all activities or projects under this Arrangement.

PARAGRAPH 5
CONFIDENTIALITY

Both Participants guarantee that all information obtained during the implementation of this Arrangement will not be given to any third party without the written consent of the other Participant. Both Participants will take all necessary measures to secure the classified information provided under this Arrangement.

PARAGRAPH 6
CONSULTATIONS

Should there be any divergence on the interpretation or implementation of this Arrangement and of activities or projects undertaken under it, the Participants will immediately consult with each other to settle amicably such divergence in interpretation or implementation.

PARAGRAPH 7
AMENDMENTS

This Arrangement may be amended upon mutual written consent of both Sides. Such amendment will become effective in accordance with Paragraph 8

PARAGRAPH 8
EFFECTIVITY, VALIDITY AND TERMINATION

 
1. This Arrangement will become effective on the date of signature and will be valid for two (2) years. It may be extended for a similar period upon 60 days written notice by either Participant.
 
2. Each Participant may suspend or terminate this Arrangement upon 60 days written notice.
 
3. Unless otherwise agreed upon, the termination of this Arrangement will not prejudice the completion of existing and on-going projects undertaken under this Arrangement.

Signed in Manila on 24 April 2012, in duplicate in the English and Chinese languages, both versions being equally valid.

Entry into Force: April 24, 2012