Alaskai Moore Johnson, frontpageafricaonline.com
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MONROVIA – The 2019 edition of the China Africa Press Center program has opened in Beijing China with a challenge to African Journalists to help erase any myth about china and report the true story about the People’s Republic of China and its people.
Under the China Africa Press Center program, thirty four (34) African journalists have assembled in Beijing China for a ten month study in the People’s Republic sponsored by the China Public Diplomacy [JB emphasis] Association under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The thirty African Journalists have also being joined by sixteen (16) other journalists from Asia and the South Pacific under the China Asia Pacific Press Center program.
Speaking Wednesday at the joint opening of the China Africa and Asia Pacific Press Center program in Beijing, the Vice President of the China Public Diplomacy Association Hu Zheng Yue described China as a brother and partner to African countries.
Ambassador Hu said China and Africa have a natural community of shared destiny and an important power to global development through fairness and justice.
“Our long standing histories, splendid civilizations and traditional friendship knit us tightly together. Our hearts are connected” the CPDA Vice President added.
The Diplomat also highlighted that under the framework of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the Belt and Road initiative, the People’s Republic and the continent have developed very productive and practical cooperation in many areas, bringing substantial benefits to both Chinese and the African people.
In addition to their academic studies, the Journalists from Africa and Asia are primed for a thrilling stay in China over the next ten months participating in series of activities as the country marks the 70th anniversary of founding of the People’s Republic of China this year.
Activities lining up include the second Belt and Road Forum for International cooperation and the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2019.
According to Ambassador Hu, CAPC and CAPPC 2019 Fellows will also ‘visit government departments, think tanks, universities and companies to interact with government officials, experts and the people of China. He also added ‘You will also go to provinces and cities outside Beijing to learn different regional cultures of China’.
Addressing Diplomats, 2019 Fellows and the local media at the Diplomatic Residence Compound in Beijing, Ambassador Hu Zheng Yue urged African journalists and journalists from Asia Pacific to help facilitate a clear understanding of the friendly exchange between their respective countries and China by reporting the facts.
CAPC has now entered its fifth year while this is the third year that journalists from the Asia Pacific are joining the program.
Liberia is being represented at this year’s fellowship by Journalist Francis Pelenah. By participating in the program, journalists are expected to write objectively about China in a move that will promote friendship and win-win cooperation between China and the rest of the world.
Speaking on behalf of the African Journalists, Ugandan Journalist Mugabo Mubarrak described the program as a great opportunity to see first-hand what life is about in China in a bid to gain a better position in telling the Chinese story to the rest of Africa.
The China International Press Communication Center has authorized the Renmin University of China to arrange and implement press training courses for participants including lectures on the condition of China in the fields of politics, economy, diplomacy, history, society and culture, with professional courses regarding media communication and media development.
The Beijing International Chinese College will arrange primary Chinese courses for participants and also provide cultural activities for participants once a month.
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