MONROVIA – China Africa Press Centre (CAPC), an initiative of the Government of China to strengthen cooperation with developing countries through media programs on Friday August 12, 2022 formally opened its 2022 edition at the China International Press Communication Center (CIPCC) with 73 journalists from 54 countries participating for a six months fellowship program that started in June 2022 in Beijing. Deanna Seakor reports from Beijing.
The opening program also saw the presence of diplomatic personnel including Nigeria’s Ambassador to China, Baba Ahmad Jidda; Assistant Foreign Minister Hua Chunying; President of the China Public Diplomacy Association, Wu Hailong; among other members of Foreign Affairs and the CIPCC.
The night was filled with talents of all kinds. Journalists from Africa (Liberia, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Cameroon, Congo, South Africa, Ethiopia, Angola, Tanzania, Senegal, Gambia) displayed a performance of the African cultural heritage titled “ECHOES OF OUR MOTHERLAND”.
The high point of the event was a music rendition, display of traditional African dances, joint-love song by the Journalists and unwinding to Chinese cuisines.
The hosts assured that China and Africa will always be a community of shared future, developing solidarity and cooperation, African nations being the cornerstone of China’s Foreign Policy that is hinged on Building a stronger China-Africa community with shared interest; fostering mutual Respect and Common Development; Building a community of shared Future, mutual and political trust, Rapidly expanding Economic cooperation; encouraging people to people cultural exchanges; maintaining cooperation on peace and security; upholding international Equity and Justice, and Raising China-Africa relations to a new level, among others.
Making remarks at the formal opening of the 2022 CIPCC program, China’s Assistant Foreign Minister Hua Chunying expressed elation over seeing so many journalists from developing countries at the program, noting that she feels truly among friends.
Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister, Hua Chunying, reaffirmed China’s commitment to deepening cooperation with other developing nations through media programs.
Hua said this in a remark at the reception and opening ceremony of an ongoing six-month China International Press Communication Centre (CIPCC) programme that started in June 2022 in Beijing.
The event was organized under the auspices of the China Public Diplomacy Association (CPDA). Hua said, “since 2014, the CPDA has been dedicated to developing CIPCC, to build a platform for the media from Asia, Africa and Latin America to observe, understand and study China.
“In the past two years, due to COVID-19, the Centre had to suspend its in-person programmes, but it has never stopped its work on the ‘cloud’.
“The cloud centre has opened a virtual window for the media of developing countries to see and feel the pulse of China’s development.
“This year, overcoming challenges from the pandemic, the Association relaunched the CIPCC on-site visits”, she said.
This has been very warmly received. Journalists are all keen to sign up, and no travel inconveniences could diminish their enthusiasm,” Minister Hua Chunying intimated.
According to her, the programme provides a platform for visits to historic sites, high-tech firms, a taste of traditional Chinese culture, practice of Tai Chi and writing Chinese calligraphy.
She said that the Chinese people would continue to be good hosts and make friends with all sincerity.
“I am confident that with the thoughtful organization of the CIPCC, your visits and studies in China will be both pleasant and productive.
“I wonder what was your impression of China before you came and how did the China you see differ from your prior impressions?
“I have noticed that many foreigners coming to China are quite astounded by how different the real China could be from the China they previously imagined.
“Indeed, in the world today, there are two types of views on China; one is about threat and challenge, and the other, hope and opportunity.
“Even for us Chinese, few could claim to know China 100 per cent; the country has land mass of over 9.6 million square kilometers, a 1.4-billion-plus population, history and civilization stretching 5,000 years,” she stated.
She reiterated China’s growth as a country with one of the world’s lowest per capita GDP to be the second largest economy, adding that not less than 800 million people had escaped poverty and led better lives in the country.
She said that the Chinese Communist Party (CPC) was behind achievements recorded, adding that the party started with 50 members, to become the world’s largest governing party with 96 million members.
The Assistant Minister, however, revealed that plans had been in place by the CPC to hold its 20th National Congress this year.
In providing a backdrop to the program, Minister Hu stated that since 2014, the China Public Diplomacy Association (CPDA) has been dedicated to developing the CIPCC, to build a platform for the media from Asia, Africa and Latin America to observe, understand and study China, noting that in the past two years, due to COVID-19, the Center had to suspend its in-person programs, but it has never stopped its work on the “cloud”. The “cloud center” has opened a virtual window for the media of developing countries to see and feel the pulse of China’s development, Minister Hua said.
“This year, overcoming challenges from the pandemic, the Association relaunched the CIPCC’s on-site visits. This has been very warmly received. Journalists are all keen to sign up, and no travel inconveniences could diminish their enthusiasm.
“As the video we just saw shows, although you may not have been here long, you have visited many places, from historic sites to high-tech firms. And there is a taste of traditional Chinese culture too — practicing Tai Chi and writing Chinese calligraphy.
“From the broad smiles on your faces, I could tell that you enjoy your time in China. Well begun is half done, as the saying goes. The Chinese people will continue to be a good host and they make friends with all sincerity. I am confident that with the thoughtful organization of the CIPCC, your visits and studies in China will be both pleasant and productive.
“China’s development achievements over the past decades have been most impressive. To quote a poem, we have “been to the heavens for the moon and to the deep sea for the turtles”. Two female astronauts have traveled to space, a real-life version of Change, a fabled Chinese goddess, flying to the moon. The high-speed rail network has shortened many long-distance travels across the nation into one-day trips. I doubt if the finest novelist could imagine ten or even five years ago the transformation taking place in China today.
“Behind all these incredible achievements is an incredible political party — the Chinese Communist Party (CPC). Last year, we celebrated the centenary of the CPC. The CPC has grown from a small party with just over 50 members, to the world’s largest governing party with a 96-million-strong membership. Over the past century, the CPC has led the Chinese people to drive out the foreign invaders, end the fighting among warlords and the civil war, gain national independence, found a sovereign country, make foreign subjugation and hunger history, and build a moderately prosperous society in all respects. The Party is now leading the country on a new journey toward a modern socialist country. Every Chinese person is filled with pride about what the country has achieved, and fully supports the CPC. In fact, the CPC, for years, has had an approval rating of over 90 percent.
“The CPC is a people’s party. It represents the fundamental interests of the greatest possible Chinese people, and has never represented the interests of a particular interest group, power bloc or privileged class. From day one, the CPC has made pursuing a happy life for the people its founding mission. It follows a people-centered philosophy, and puts the people’s interests, needs and satisfaction above everything else. The CPC is a vanguard party. It is keen to learn from past practices. It keeps abreast of the times by developing new theories and strategies based on new situations. It pursues self-reform to seek continuous self-improvement. And it sticks to principles and has flexibility under different circumstances, confronting problems head-on and finding solutions to make things work.
“The CPC is an open and inclusive party. It is ready to share, to learn from all advanced things and engage with all for mutual success and shared progress.
“As President Xi Jinping noted, in the world today, some are faring very well whereas some others are still struggling; this is not a good thing. Only when people all over the world enjoy better lives can prosperity be sustained, security safeguarded and human rights assured. Based on this belief, China has proposed the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. We hope to achieve common development through hard work. People in all countries are entitled to choose their own development paths, and deserve a better and happier life. Just as China believes that not a single Chinese should be left behind on the journey toward common prosperity, no country should be left behind in our common pursuit of greater development. Regrettably, some do not want to see this happen for people in other countries, especially the Chinese people. In recent years, the US and a few of its allies have gone out of their way to smear and bash China, using all means to suppress and contain China.
“But people of the world are clear-eyed. A recent survey shows that 76 percent of young Africans see China as a positive influence on their life; the Arabic populations prefer China and China’s foreign policy is better received in the Middle East; countries in Asia also believe that China’s right to legitimately emerge as a major country should be respected.
“The world today still faces many risks and challenges, and we need to jointly respond with unity and cooperation. There is much unfairness and injustice, and we need to support each other in defending our interests. There is much bullying and hegemony in the media and propaganda, and we need to speak with one voice, louder and clearer.
“In the second half of this year, the CPC will hold its 20th National Congress. This meeting will set out the overall goals, tasks and strategies for the Party and the country in the next five years and beyond. It will have a significant and far-reaching impact on China’s future development, and I believe on the world too. This will be an important opportunity for you to observe China close-up and look into its future. We will help arrange as many reporting opportunities for you as possible. I believe you will find this experience most rewarding.
“The global media environment today is, in many ways, similar to that 80 years ago. I hope you will use your pen and camera to tell the world `truthfully what you see and hear in China and what you think, to help the world know and understand China better. I hope you will shine a light on the truth and facts, and help brighten up the world’s perspective on China.
“I believe that after this months-long program, you will bring home a true and full picture of China, and leave with us your love and passion. China will always be your home away from home, and look forward to seeing you again in China as resident reporters in the near future, “Minister Hua enthused.
Also speaking, the President of CPDA, Wu Hailong, said the association, a non-profit organization established in 2013, comprised media experts, scholars, celebrities and entrepreneurs on a voluntary basis.
According to him, the objective of the association is to pull all social resources and leverage the non-governmental channels to advance the development of China’s diplomacy and enhance understanding and friendship globally.
It is also to present to the world a civil, democratic, open and progressive national image of China.
“When considering the number of journalists from developing countries in China, it is not big enough to enhance the practical cooperation between China and developing countries in the field of media. It is also to enhance the perception and friendliness of people from developing countries towards China,” Hu said.
Three hundred and seventy-six journalists from across the world have so far been trained through the program’s initiative in China. The event was attended by Mr Baba Ahmad Jidda, Ambassador of Nigeria to China, stakeholders of the ministry, CIPCC and CPDA.
The China International Press Communication Center was established in 2014 to enhance the practical cooperation between China and developing countries thereby giving rise to a wider perspective of people from developing nations towards China.
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