The sixth research and study program for overseas Chinese-language media opened?in Beijing?Saturday.

Officials and representatives of 40 overseas Chinese-language media organizations from 23 countries, such as the London Global Times in Britain, the Nouvelles d'europe in France and United Daily News in Thailand, attended the program.

The program is jointly held by the State Council's Overseas Chinese Affairs Office and the Renmin University of China.

The theme for this year's program is the history and culture of Xinjiang and Tibet.

Members of the program will attend a two-day course in Beijing and go to northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region for research and news reporting.

Overseas Chinese-language media has played a unique role in communicating the information and news about China in an objective, accurate, timely and comprehensive way, Zhao Yang, deputy director of the State Council's Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, said at the opening ceremony of the program.