In May of 2019, a small group of CGTN Africa employees, traveled to the Communications University of China (CUC) in Beijing to participate in the university’s Short-Term Visit Program. The program brings together journalists who work for Chinese media for an intense, up-close look at the world’s largest country and second-largest economy.
The goal of the program is manifold. But two of the main objectives are to help enhance ties between these journalists and to allow them to acquire a deeper understanding of China’s outlook on global storytelling.
Apart from the lectures on media, there was an opportunity to visit the headquarters of China’s leading media organizations.
For many of these journalists, it was their first-time visiting China. But even for those who had previously visited China, the Short-Term Visit Program offered an opportunity to visit new cities and have new experiences.
Apart from Beijing, participants also traveled to Qingyuan City in Guangdong Province. It was here the journalists enjoyed a traditional Chinese dance program. Many of those in attendance said the event helped increase their understanding of the rich Chinese culture and how everyone strives to preserve it.
This was evident with evening dances as well as performances on a Guzheng by a teenage sensation during an evening cultural presentation.
“It’s interesting how the Chinese have been able to preserve their culture through thousands of years. What’s more interesting is how the younger generation is taking it up and embracing their past,” Michael Karanja from CGTN’s New Media team said.
During the two days in Shenzhen the team was able to visit world leading tech companies such as Tencent and Huawei.
These two visits illustrated the sense of pride taken by Chinese companies in the pursuit to be global leaders in their fields by responding to the world’s emerging needs.
“Tours to the Tencent headquarters and the Huawei office gave a unique insight into the possibilities that technology has to offer in terms of managing public transport and security, media and healthcare,” Felix Nyawara, Talk Africa Producer said of the visit.
Innovation and game-changing infrastructure projects are some of the things that most people outside China have been fascinated with over the years. But, seeing some of these in real life is mind-boggling to say the least.
This was the case when the team visited the Zhuhai-Macao-Hong Kong bridge. The 55-kilometer, bridge–tunnel system is both the longest sea-crossing and the longest open-sea fixed link on earth.
This marvel left CGTN Planner Jane Kiyo fascinated by the technological advancements, despite having made several trips to China over the years.
“To me, China is this huge huge Laboratory of innovation there’s something always cooking,” says Kiyo. “Last year when I was here, they’d just launched the fastest speed train, this year I get to see and tour the longest sea bridge which is yet another engineering ingenuity.”
One aspect China has become known for is its cuisine. The trip therefore offered a unique chance to sample the wide array of food on offer. From roast duck to mooncakes, the two-week program left a lasting taste in the participants mouths.
“As a Kenyan with Swahili ties, food is a big part of our culture. It is nice to be able to come to a country that also has a strong attachment to food. For me my highlight was the Peking duck experience,” Halima Mwiwa, a video editor with CGTN said.
For anchor Peninah Karibe, the wildlife in China provided a different kind escape. During a trip to Chengdu, she was able to get up close with pandas.
“My highlight was getting to meet pandas. Coming from a continent that is teaming with wildlife it was good to meet a legendary animal I had only seen on TV it was mind-blowing and refreshing at the same time,” Karibe said.
Journalists from China Daily, Xinhua, CRI and People’s Daily also participated in May 2019 Short-Term Visit. The Communications University of China held visits for other groups of journalists in 2018.
