Nanfang Media Group (Nanfang Daily) held its 2025 Partners Conference themed "Two Platforms and One Cloud" in Guangzhou on January 22, bringing together partners from across the media, technology, and public sectors.
(Photo: Shi Lei)
Over the past year, the group has focused on its systemic transformation as a mainstream outlet, placing content at the centre of its work. Its strategy is built on three platforms: Nanfang Plus, South, and Nanfang Smart Media Cloud.
Collectively, these platforms drive content production, facilitate international communication, and foster technological innovation while working closely with partner organizations.
At the conference, the group conferred honors in recognition of outstanding partner contributions. The group also announced a new cooperation plan starting in 2026, focusing on joint work in content innovation, technology development, market expansion, and platform collaboration, namely "Co-creating for Shared Success — The 'Two Platforms and One Cloud' Partner Ecosystem Initiative."
Nanfang Plus is the group's main platform for connecting with users. Launched ten years ago, the app has recorded more than 210 million downloads, with peak daily active users exceeding seven million. It ranks among the leading provincial-level media platforms in China.
A key feature is Nanfang Account, which brings together official service accounts. More than 7,000 public service accounts are now live on the platform, supporting digital delivery of public information and services.
The conference conferred a series of honors, including the High-Quality Co-built Channel, the Nanfang Accounts High-Quality Communication Impact, Nanfang Accounts Annual Outstanding Operator, Outstanding Nanfang Plus Visual Product Contributor, Outstanding Platform Partnership, and Integrated Operations Brand Project.
South serves as the group's global media platform with international reach. Based in Guangdong and focused on global audiences, it operates through a network that includes a news website, mobile app, overseas social media accounts, and partnerships with international media outlets.
South has more than 20 million users and followers worldwide and connects with around 1,000 media organisations through the Maritime Silk Road Media Cooperation Platform.
It has news bureaus in Hong Kong and Macao, operational offices in countries including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Spain, and city channels covering all 21 prefecture-level cities in Guangdong. South also works with universities and research institutes to recognise case studies in international communication.
The South Think Tank, in collaboration with research institutions including Sun Yat-sen University, South China University of Technology, Jinan University, and Guangdong University of Foreign Studies' International Communication Research Bases, launched the inaugural "White Dolphin Cup International Communication Case" selection.
At the event, two major honors were announced: the 2025 White Dolphin Cup · International Communication Outstanding Case and the 2025 International Communication Strategic Partner.
The Nanfang Smart Media Cloud provides the technical foundation for these platforms. In 2025, Nanfang Media Group (Nanfang Daily) led the formation of the Nanfang Smart Media Development Community, using the cloud system as a unified technology base across the province.
It supports media centres at provincial, city, and county levels, helping to link content production and distribution. The platform also works with technology companies, universities, and research teams to develop an open media technology ecosystem.
At the conference, the "Pioneer for Intelligent Media Integration and Co-building" was presented, and the "Intelligent Media Technology Collaborative Innovation" was established.
Author: Huang Qini
Photo: Guo Hongda
Editor: Ouyang Yan, Liu Lingzhi, Shen He
