Beijing, Aug 12 — The much anticipated media cross cultural initiative of China International Communication Centre (CIPCC) program has finally got into motion by formally welcoming journalists from around the globe during the activity staged at Beijing on Friday.
The 2025 CIPCC program has brought together Over 100 journalists coming from more than 90 countries mainly African countries, Arab, Muslim, French speaking countries have been afforded a life changing opportunity under the programme scheduled for four months.
In his welcome remarks, CIPCC Director Mr. Yu Lei said the program is meant to pursue mutual cooperation between Chinese media and the participating countries.
Mr. Yu stressed that during the four months stay, journalists will learn a number of things like sessions on learning the Chinese language, cultural experience, lectures on socioeconomic development issues, visit other provinces outside of Beijing and explore various aspects of development such as transportation of high technology.
The CIPCC Director further said there are a number of upcoming summits and major events like the Victory day parade marking the 80th anniversary of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Forum on China-Africa whereby journalists can be exposed to.
He also urged journalists to establish contact with their different embassies for any bilateral meetings that may require coverage.
Reflecting on an overview of CIPCC Program, Diplomatic Residential Compound (DRC) in Beijing Manager Ms. Yao Baike highlighted that since 2014, the program has served as a vital bridge connecting international journalists to China, adding that over the years there are more than 700 journalists who participated on the program.
Ms. Yao said as the program progresses in 2025, journalists are expected to continue the tradition of storytelling
She further highlighted that through the CIPCC program they have established six regional communication centres whereby the African centre was the first to be set up and over the years they have expanded to other regions such Pacific, Latin America, Arab and Europe.
Additionally, Ms. Yao said they ensure that in every centre, every journalist has a meaningful opportunity to connect and engage, citing that today they have more than 100 outstanding journalists from their respective countries and most of them will soon call China their second home for the next four months.
“In these four months, magic will happen as you will gain the insight of the different aspects of development in China from socialism, transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the vision behind Belt and road initiative and as well as to have dialogue on geo political tension”, she explained.
In the era of misinformation and disinformation, she further urged journalists to be the ambassadors of what is real, moreover she pointed out that they will an opportunity to participate in some domestic and diplomatic events, citing that CIPCC provides access to high profile events such as how China political system operates and others.
Approached for a comment, a Portuguese newspaper journalist from Mr. Nilton Ndemandi commended China for granting them an opportunity to learn the culture of Chinese people and the colleagues from other countries.
Mr. Ndemandi said he also looks forward to seeing more opportunities that might be created by the CIPCC program such as pursuing a master degree in communication courses.
Also interviewed the Ethiopia Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) Ms. Netsanet Kinfe said she consider herself to be among the luckiest for being given an opportunity to be in Beijing, highlighting that the CIPCC program has united them as a huge family and it is going to add more value to the skill they already have from their home countries.
Ms. Kinfe said with only a few days spent in China, she has learnt that the country is a technological hub, and people are highly disciplined.
Meanwhile, the 2025 CIPCC programme has managed to attract journalists from countries including Lesotho, Botswana, Namibia, Rwanda, Iraq, to mention a few.
Ends/RM
