Overview
In an effort to enhance the understanding of American media on China and Hong Kong, since 1996 the Foundation has invited 6 to 8 American journalists each year to visit China and Hong Kong. The Foundation sponsored and organized their trip. With the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC, the program enables the journalists to meet with senior central government officials in Beijing and local municipal officials in one of the second or third tier cities in China. The Foundation also organizes meetings with key industry and business players, academic and research institutions and media people to broaden the participants’ network other than providing them an overview of the cities they visited. This year, the Foundation, in association with the All-China Journalists Association (ACJA) and the East-West Center launched the first China-U.S. Journalists Exchange program, as an expansion of the original Hong Kong Journalism Fellows program by adding the visit of the China journalists to the U.S.
Beijing
With the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Foundation organized the study tour to China and Hong Kong with the first stop in Beijing. On 11 September 2010, the delegation started their journey in China. To kick-off, sightseeing tour was organized the following day. The delegation was given an opportunity to get a feel for the capital of ancient and modern China. They were amazed and fascinated by the historic and the state-of-the-art buildings as well as the capital’s rapid development. Invited by the Foundation, Mr. Feng Gang, Director of the National Economic Research Institute joined the welcome dinner on 12 September 2010 and shared his insightful views on China’s current economic development, the opportunities and challenges with the journalists.
At the meeting with the Ministry of Commerce, China-U.S. trade policy and relation, RMB exchange rate, etc were the hot questions that the journalists asked in the discussion. The journalists also exchanged views with representatives from the Ministry of Health on food safety and health care reform issues of both countries. The group also visited the China Institute of International Studies where Dr. Qu Xing, President shared his views on China-U.S. relation and China’s role in the international community. Meeting with Mr. Lin Guijun, Vice President of University of International Business & Economics and the interaction with their teachers and students were impressive to the journalists.
The group visited the Foton Moto Group to understand more about the development of automotive industry in China. They also visited the joint venture project of the Foton Moto Group and the U.S. company, Cummins. To learn more about the prospects and future development of China’s Internet and search engine industry, the group visited the headquarters of Baidu and met with its Senior VP for Operations Mr. Haoyu Shen.
During their stay in Beijing, the delegation also met with Mr. Lu Kang, Deputy Director General of the Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs, and Mr. Hong Lei, Counselor of the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs respectively. Moreover, the Office of the Government of the HKSAR in Beijing hosted a luncheon for the group and explained the role of the Hong Kong Government’s Offices in Beijing and in other parts of the Mainland.
Chengdu
On 15 September 2010, the group arrived in Chengdu. The group first visited the Sichuan Provincial Office for West China Development to learn more about the overall development and challenges of Sichuan. The meeting with Mr. Xie Ruiwu, Vice Mayor of Chengdu also provided useful information to the journalists on the current situation and future planning of Chengdu. To show their hospitality, a welcome dinner was hosted by the Deputy Director General of Sichuan Provincial Office of Foreign Affairs for the group.
Since the Wenchuan earthquake, Sichuan Province is committed to the reconstruction projects. The group visited the earthquake relics in Hanwang Town where the journalists were stunned by the huge and massive destruction made by the earthquake. On the other hand, the group was deeply moved to see the strength and courage of the local people when visiting Mian Zhu Hua village, Hong Kong Red Cross Deyang Rehabilitation, Prosthetic and Orthotic Center, Deyang No. 1 Primary School and DEC Factory Hospital. At the end of the journey in Chengdu, the group didn’t miss the chance to visit the adorable pandas in the Giant Panda Protection Zone in Ya’an City.
Hong Kong
On 19 September 2010, the delegation arrived in Hong Kong. As an international financial center, the recovery of Hong Kong’s economy after the global financial crisis was still a hot issue for the journalists. Meetings with Mr. John Tsang, Financial Secretary; Mr. Romnesh Lamba, Head of Market Development Division of the Hong Kong Stock Exchanges and Clearing Ltd; and Mr. K C Kwok, Former Government Economist and Honorary Senior Research Fellow of University of Hong Kong provided with them with first-hand information about Hong Kong’s status as an international finance center. In fact, logistics industry is also well developed in Hong Kong. Ranked as top airport in the world, the Hong Kong International Airport provides excellent service to Asia region and the whole world. The group was pleased to learn more about the competitive edges and challenges of aviation industry of Hong Kong from Mr. Stanley Hui, Chief Executive Officer, Airport Authority Hong Kong. The group also met with professionals from Hong Kong film industry including Mr. Peter Lam, Trustee of the Foundation and Chairman of Lai Sun Development Co Ltd and Mr. Wellington Fung, Secretary-General of Hong Kong Film Development Council, who shared their views on the future development directions of Hong Kong film industry.
Mr. Zhang Yongxi, Deputy Commissioner of the Commissioner’s Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong briefed the delegation on the relationship between Hong Kong and the Mainland and the responsibilities of his office in dealing with external affairs for Hong Kong. The group also visited the Office of the Former Chief Executive where Mr. Tung Chee-hwa, the first Chief Executive of the HKSAR and now the Vice Chairman of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, shared his views on the developments of Hong Kong as well as those in the Mainland. In addition, meetings with Ambassador Stephen Young, American Consul-General, and Mr. Jim Thompson, Founder and Chairman of The Crown Worldwide Group and Former Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, provided a good platform for the journalists to learn more about the interests of Americans in Hong Kong.
The delegation enjoyed very much the luncheon hosted by Mr. C Y Leung, Convenor of the Executive Council of the HKSAR and the opportunity to discuss with its Council Members Prof. Anthony Cheung, Prof. Lawrence Lau and Ms. Anna Wu on various issues in Hong Kong. Another luncheon hosted by Mr. Barry Cheung, Chairman of the Urban Renewal Authority was also informative and enjoyable. The Pawn and the re-developed of old buildings nearby were good examples of efforts made towards building a sustainable Hong Kong.
Before leaving Hong Kong, the Foundation hosted a dinner for the group on 21 September 2010. The journalists not only met Foundation members but also guests from the local business sector, academia and media.
Honolulu
On 22 September 2010, all Chinese and American journalists met in the East-West Center in Honolulu to report on their experiences and to exchange opinions on how media coverage of each country can be improved. By having direct dialogue with the local authorities and communities in different areas and to see the developments by themselves, the U.S. journalists gain a better understanding of the current situation and future development of Hong Kong and Mainland China.
The Foundation’s Executive Director Ms. Karen Tang expressed her gratitude to the co-organizers and supporting organizations for their support and was grateful to all the participants for their active participation and cooperation to make the trip a success.
List of U.S. Journalists:
– Mr. Jeffrey Chu, Articles Editor, Fast Company
– Mr. Michael Freedman, Senior Editor, Newsweek
– Ms. Erica Grieder, Southwest Correspondent, The Economist
– Ms. Pia Lopez, Associate Editor, Sacramento Bee
– Mr. Doyle McManus, Washington Columnist, Los Angeles Time
– Ms. Leslie Norton, Asia Editor, Barron’s Magazine
– Mr. John Schoen, Senior Producer, msnbc.com
Detailed Itinerary
Beijing
11 Sept (Sat)
– Fellows arrive in Beijing
12 Sept (Sun)
– Breakfast Briefing at the hotel
– Beijing Tour – Great Wall, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square
– Welcome Dinner hosted by the Better Hong Kong Foundation
Guests: Mr. Fan Gang, Director, National Economic Research Institute and Mr. Fang Xinjian, Deputy Chief, America and Oceania Affairs Division, International Liaison Department, All-China Journalists Association
13 Sept (Mon)
– Visit Foton Moto Group: Mr. Zhao Jingguang, Vice President and Spokesman of Foton; Mr. Wang Shuguang, Chief Public Relations Officer
– Meetings and Luncheon hosted by Mr. Thomas Tso, Director of the HKSAR Government Office in Beijing
– Meeting with the University of International Business & Economics: Mr. Lin Guijun, Vice President of UIBE; Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges; School of International Trade and Economics; School of International Studies; The Business School
– Meeting with Mr. Lu Kang, Deputy Director General, Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
– Dinner hosted by Counselor Hong Lei, Information Department of MFA
14 Sept (Tue)
– Meeting with Ministry of Commerce: Mr. He Ning, Director General of North American and Oceanian Affairs Department, Mr. Li Rongcan, Director General of Policy Planning Department and Ms. Qiu Lixin, Deputy Director General of Foreign Investment Department
– Meeting with Dr. Qu Xing, President, China Institute of International Studies
– Meeting and Luncheon hosted by the All-China Journalists Association
– Meeting with the Ministry of Health
– Visit the headquarters of Baidu and meeting with Senior VP for Operations Mr. Haoyu Shen
15 Sept (Wed)
– Leave Beijing for Chengdu
Chengdu
16 Sept (Thu)
– Meeting with Sichuan Provincial Office for West China Development
– Lunch hosted by the Better Hong Kong Foundation
– Meeting with Mr. Xie Ruiwu, Vice Mayor of Chengdu
– Visit Chengdu High-tech Zone
– Dinner hosted by Deputy Director General of Sichuan Provincial Office of Foreign Affairs
17 Sept (Fri)
– Visit to Deyang City: 1) visit earthquake relics in Hanwang Town; 2) visit Mian Zhu Hua village (New Year painting workshop); 3) visit Hong Kong Red Cross rehabilitation, prosthetic and orthotic center); 4) visit Deyang No. 1 primary school; and 5) visit DEC factory hospital
– Dinner hosted by the Better Hong Kong Foundation (Hotpot)
18 Sept (Sat)
– Visit Giant Panda Protection Zone in Ya’an City and meet with the administrator in charge
19 Sept (Sun)
– Leave for Hong Kong
Hong Kong
20 Sept (Mon)
– Breakfast meeting with the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd: Mr. Romnesh Lamba, Head of Market Development Division and Ms. Lorraine Chan, Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications
– Meeting with Mr. C H Tung, Vice Chairman of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and first former Chief Executive of HKSAR
– Luncheon hosted by Mr. Barry Cheung, Chairman of Urban Renewal Authority
– Meeting with Mr. Stanley Hui, Chief Executive Officer, Airport Authority Hong Kong
21 Sept (Tue)
– Breakfast Meeting Hosted by Mr. Jim Thompson, Founder and Chairman of The Crown Worldwide Group and Former Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong
Guest: Mr. K C Kwok, Former Government Economist and Honorary Senior Research Fellow of University of Hong Kong
– Meeting with Mr. Zhang Yongxi, Deputy Commissioner of Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong
– Luncheon hosted by Mr. C Y Leung, Convenor of the Executive Council of HKSAR with Exco members – Prof. Anthony Cheung, Prof. Lawrence Lau and Ms. Anna Wu
– Meeting with Mr. John Tsang, Financial Secretary
– Meeting with Ambassador Stephen Young, American Consul-General
– Meeting with professionals from Hong Kong film industry: Mr. Peter Lam, Trustee of the Better Hong Kong Foundation and Chairman of Lai Sun Development Co Ltd; Mr. Wellington Fung, Secretary-General of Hong Kong Film Development Council; Mr. John Chong, Chief Executive Officer of Media Asia Group; Ms. Sharon Cheung, Senior Vice President of eSun Holdings Ltd
– Dinner hosted by the Better Hong Kong Foundation
22 Sept (Wed)
– Leave for Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu
23 Sept (Thu)
– Welcome and Introductions by Amb. Raymond Burghardt, Director, East-West Seminars, East-West Center and Ms. Susan Kreifels, Media Programs Coordinator, East-West Center
– China’s Political Economy by Dr. Christopher McNally, Fellow, Politics, Governance and Security Studies, Research Program, East-West Center
– Roundtable Discussion with China Experts from the U.S. Pacific Command
– U.S.-China Relations by Amb. Raymond Burghardt, Director of Seminars, East-West Center
– Welcome Reception
24 Sept (Fri)
– China in Retrospect: American Fellows’ review of visits to Beijing, Chengdu and Hong Kong in China – What Was New, What Was Old and Lingering Questions
– United States in Retrospect: Chinese Fellows’ review of visits to Washington D.C. and Los Angeles, CA – What Was New, What Was Old and Lingering Questions
– Reflect on Study Tour and Colloquium on News Reporting: Chinese and American Fellows discuss how they found their home countries reported on and commented on in their host countries and reasons why they found it good or deficient; results of conversations with host country journalists they met in their travels; recommendations – journalist-to-journalist – on how reporting of China and the United States may be improved
– Introduction to EWC Media Services, Mr. Derek Ferrar, Media Relations Specialist, External Affairs
– Introduction to EWC Alumni Services, Mr. Gordon Ring, Director, Associates Office, East-West Center
– Evaluation of Program
25 Sept (Sat)
– Depart for home
List of Chinese Journalists:
– Mr. Zhu Shouchen, Executive Secretary, ACJA
– Mr. Chang Fawu, Editor-in-Chief, Henan Daily Group
– Mr. Guo Yueling, Director General, Channel 11, Xinjiang TV
– Mr. Li Wenhai, President, Handan Daily
– Mr. Shi Quangen, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Shanghai Jiefang Daily Group
– Mr. Zong Chunqi, Senior Editor, Beijing Daily Group
– Mr. Fang Xinjian, Deputy Chief, America & Oceania Affairs Division, International Liaison Department, ACJA
During their visit in the U.S., the Chinese journalists met with government officials, think tanks, community and business leaders, educators, local journalists, and others to gain insight on diverse issues and understand more about the general views from the U.S. interlocutors on the relationship between China and the U.S.
Meeting with Ministry of Commerce
Meeting with Deputy Mayor of Chengdu
Meeting with Mr. C H Tung, Vice Chairman of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and first former Chief Executive of HKSAR