Fortune Igbogi Abang, an alumnus of Renmin University of China (RUC) and chief correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria, had the opportunity to ask Foreign Minister Wang Yi a question during the fourth session of the 14th National People’s Congress.

Abang’s connection with RUC began in 2022, when he joined the China Development Studies and Media Exchange program, co-organized by RUC and the China International Press Communication Center.

“Studying at Renmin University of China was one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life,” he said. “It changed my life completely — not only academically and professionally, but also by shaping my values, goals, and intellectual pursuits.”

Covering the two sessions again this year, Abang wore his RUC badge, highlighting his connection with the university. “RUC has truly become part of my life. The only way I can repay my alma mater is with my deepest gratitude.”

As this year marks the 70th anniversary of the start of diplomatic relations between China and Africa, his reporting focuses on the future of China-Africa cooperation, China’s digital transformation, AI applications, and progress in agriculture and education.

“From the foreign minister’s remarks, I see strong confidence and commitment to China-Africa cooperation,” he said. “I hope to share China’s vision for China-Africa cooperation over the next five years with audiences across Africa. That is why I came to this press conference.”

Abang’s story reflects the broader impact of the China Development Studies and Media Exchange program, which has trained more than 600 journalists from over 50 countries and regions over the past 12 years.
Among them is Pakistani journalist Muhammad Zamir Assadi, a senior fellow who joined the program in 2017 and has since reported extensively on China’s two sessions. This year, he is covering several provincial delegations, including Guizhou.

“My experience at RUC gave me a deeper understanding of China,” Assadi said. “I have traveled to nearly 30 provinces, and I hope my reporting helps international audiences see a real and multifaceted China.”

According to Zhong Xin, director of the program and professor at RUC’s School of Journalism and Communication, “At RUC, we not only share China’s experience with international journalists, but also learn from their global perspectives.” She noted that such cross-cultural academic exchange fosters mutual understanding and trust among media professionals.

From Africa to the RUC campus and the two sessions, a small university badge has come to symbolize a shared identity that transcends borders. What participants take away is more than a certificate—it is a deeper sense of connection and mutual understanding, one that helps build bridges across cultures.