The Journalists training program titled “China Development Research and Media Exchange” of 2023 have successfully concluded on June 7th.

The commencement ceromony was held in the School of Journalism and Communication of RUC, with the attendance of 55 foreign journalists from countries in Africa, Aisan-Pacific region, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Du Peng, the Vice Chairman of RUC, delivered the congratulations to the journalists. He pointed out that journalists record world changes and promote world peace. He hoped this program could help the journalists to know more about China and report Chinese affairs. RUC, in the future, would actively advance the process of globalization, and continue to provide a learning platform for foreign journalists.

Liu Yutong, Counsellor of the Information Department of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, mentioned the foreign journalists’ journey in China. He believed that by understanding China’s way of modernization and witnessing the constructive interactions between China and many other countries, the journalists can be a bridge of exchanges and collaborations between China and the world.

Paheja Siririka, a Namibian journalist and representative of the Africa Center, said that the highlight of the project can be summarized as “people-centered”. During the project, he was able to learn different knowledge, which enabled him to have a better understanding of China.

Luke Mani, a journalist from Solomon Islands and a representative of the Asia Pacific Center, said that the project allowed journalists to understand the real China. The courses provided by scholars at RUC inspired the discussion among journalists. He stressed that when foreign journalists return to their own countries, they will be open-minded to build a more peaceful and prosperous world with China.

Marton Brem-Nagy, a Hungarian journalist and a representative of the Central and Eastern European Center, thanked the program for providing journalists from different backgrounds and countries with the opportunity to learn together and understand China’s past, present and future. He said that during the project, he feels the hospitality of the Chinese people, and is left with many unforgettable memories.

Sue-Lin Maria Low Chew Tung, a journalist from Grenada and a representative of the Latin American and Caribbean Center, said that the journalists have an in-depth understanding of China’s modernization from the perspective of the media in the lectures, which also made the journalists more connected with each other. She said the memories left in China are enough for them to write a lifetime story.

In conclusion, Professor Zhou Yong, Dean of the School of Journalism and Communication, congratulated the journalists again. He pointed out that the closing ceremony is not an end, but a new beginning towards the future. He suggested that foreign journalists continue to maintain close ties with China and RUC through the newly established “New Era International Communication Research Institute” platform.

At the commencement ceremony, 55 foreign journalists were presented with certificates of completion. They also visited the campus, held discussions and exchanges with the teachers and students of RUC and held a friendly football match with the RUC football team.

The training program for foreign journalists jointly organized by Renmin University of China and China International Press Communication Center has been successfully held for nine years. It contributes to strengthening news exchanges and deepening friendship between China and countries in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean.