Overview
Since the Hong Kong Journalism Fellowships program launched in 1996, the Better Hong Kong Foundation (“The Foundation”) worked with the East-West Centre, Honolulu, U.S. in organising this annual program for senior journalists from the U.S. major media. This year’s program included a 5-day seminar in Honolulu and a 12-day study tour to Beijing, Kunming, Shangri-la and Hong Kong from 11 to 27 September 2008. Led by Ms. Karen Tang, Executive Director of the Foundation, the delegation was comprised of 7 journalists from the United States and was accompanied by Ms. Isadora Chen of the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Jimmie Chow, Communications Manager of the Foundation and Ms. Marilyn Li, Seminar Specialist of the East-West Center. (Please see below for the list of participants and itinerary of the study tour.)
Honolulu – Beijing
Before the study tour, the delegation first attended seminars in Honolulu where experts at China and Hong Kong issues were invited to give an overview on the two places. With the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Better Hong Kong Foundation organized the study program to China and Hong Kong. On 16 September 2008, the delegation arrived Beijing where they started their journey in China. To have a feel of the city, a sightseeing tour including visiting Great Wall and Forbidden City was held on the next day. The journalists were amazed and fascinated by both historic and the state-of-the-art buildings in Beijing.
In view of the recent global financial crisis, the meeting with Mr. Liu Mingkang, Chairman of China Banking Regulatory Commission was of great interest to the journalists where they were able to understand more about the financial policies and banking systems in China as well as Mr. Liu’s views on this global financial crisis. The delegation was also pleased to be received by Dr. Charles Zhang, Founder and Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of SOHU.com at the headquarters of the company. Dr. Zhang shared with the journalists his views on the internet development in China and also his opinion on the differences between Chinese and western culture. The group also visited the Beijing Organizing Committee for Games of the XXIX Olympics. After meeting with the Committee’s Spokesman Mr. Sun Weide, the journalists were thrilled to tour around the “Bird Nest” and “Water Cube” where were specially opened for the delegation. During the stay in Beijing, the delegation met with Mr. Qin Gang, Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as other senior government officials from the Bureau of Energy under the National Development and Reform Commission, and the State Environmental Protection Bureau.
The group also visited Renmin University of China and met with its Vice President Prof Chen Yulu, and had a fruitful and interesting dialogue with their students. On the last day in Beijing, the Office of the Government of the HKSAR in Beijing hosted a luncheon for the group and explained the role of Hong Kong Government’s Office in Beijing and in other parts of the Mainland.
Kunming – Shangri-la
The second part of the study tour was a 5-day program in Kunming and Shangri-la. As the capital of Yunnan Province, Kunming is the heart of the province where the provincial government works and also serves as the hub of transportation of Yunnan. Mr. Gu Zhaoxi, Vice Governor of Yunnan Provincial People’s Government and other senior government officials hosted a luncheon for the delegation and gave an overview of the latest development and future planning of Yunnan Province. The delegates also paid a visit to the City Planning Exhibition Center and the famous sightseeing spot Stone Forest in Kunming.
Upon arrival in Shangri-la, the delegation was stunned by the beauty of the natural environment. Noting the significant influence of the Buddhism religion in Shangri-la, the delegation visited Gedan Songzanlin Lamasery and Diqing Branch of Yunnan Buddhism College to understand more about the living and education of monks. Mr. Qi Zhala, Party Secretary of the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture met with the journalists and answered their questions regarding to government’s policies on the city’s planning and development, religion, ethic groups’ cultural preservation, environment conservation, etc. Mr. Qi then hosted a Tibetan dinner where the delegates were sang and blessed by a choir of Tibetan singers. The group also visited Pudacuo National Park, Xiagei Cultural Eco-tourism Village, Tibetan Mastiff Breading Base, Dukezong Old Town, Tangdui Village in Nixi Township, Shangri-la Alpine Botanic Park and Gesang Flowers Company. During the 3-day program in Shangri-la, the group was given the opportunity to understand the diversity of China in terms of culture, custom, ethnic minority, geography, etc.
Hong Kong
On 24 September 2008, the delegation arrived Hong Kong, the last stop of the study tour. The breakfast meeting with Mr. Archie Tsim, Chief Financial Officer of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd was served as a kick-off of the 2-day program in Hong Kong. As the financial crisis was the hottest topic in the town, the group was eager to exchange views with Mr. Tsim on the financial issues, both locally and globally. 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 Mr. Andrew Liao, Mr. Ronald Arculli, Dr. C H Leong, Prof Anthony Cheung, Mr. Bernard Chan and Mr. Jasper Tsang on various development issues in Hong Kong as well as international affairs.
Mr. Lu Xinhua, 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 visited the Office of Former Chief Executives where Mr. Tung Chee-hwa, the first Chief Executive of the HKSAR and 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 China.
The Foundation hosted a dinner at the Dynasty Club where the journalists not only met the Foundation members but also guests from local business sector, academic and media. Dr. Henry Cheng, Chairman of Advisory Council of the Foundation, Council Members Dr. Roy Chung, Mr. Thomas Woo, Ms. Winnie Ng and Mr. Albert Ip showed their support at the dinner.
Meetings with key officials of the HKSAR Government including the Secretary for Justice Mr. Wong Yan-Lung, the Secretary for the Environment Mr. Edward Yau and the Acting Government Economist Mrs. Helen Chan were conducted so as to give the journalists some ideas about the legal, environmental and financial policies in Hong Kong. In addition, the Foundation also hosted a table at the luncheon presentation entitled “China’s Post-Olympic Economic, Social and Political Environment” where the delegation was able to discuss with the speakers Mr. Zoher Abdoolcarim, Asia Editor of Times International, Mr. Thomas Easton, Asia Business Editor of the Economist, and Mr. Peter Stein, Bureau Chief Hong Kong of the Wall Street Journal Asia, as well as the President and members of the American Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong.
Executive Director Ms. Karen Tang expressed her gratitude to the East-West Center and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their support and was grateful to all the participants for their active participation and cooperation to make the trip a success. In return the participants responded that the program enabled them a better understanding of China and Hong Kong. As one participant said that the program deepened her understanding of a broad range of issues in Hong Kong and the mainland China in a way that is only possible by actually visiting a country.
List of Participants:
1. Mr. Travis Altman, Producer, Fox Business Network, New York, New York
2. Ms. Lisa Girion, Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California
3. Ms. Leslie Hook, Editorial Page Writer, The Wall Street Journal Asia, Hong Kong
4. Ms. Kathleen Ingley, Editorial Writer, Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona
5. Ms. Toni Randolph, Reporter, Minnesota Public Radio, St. Paul, Minnesota
6. Ms. Lori Ruggiero, Producer, CNN/American Morning, New York, New York
7. Mr. Steve Wilhelm, Staff Writer, Puget Sound Business Journal, Seattle, Washington
Detailed Itinerary:
Honolulu (11 – 15 Sept 08) (4 nights)
11 Sept |
(Thu) |
Welcome Dinner |
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12 Sept |
(Fri) |
Welcome and Introduction: opening remarks; self-introductions; administrative briefing |
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East-West Center Briefing |
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Group photo at the Friendship Circle of the East-West Center |
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An Overview of Contemporary Hong Kong |
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China’s Political Economy |
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Current Energy Issues in China and Its Impacts on Global Markets |
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Introduction to EWC Media Services, Mr. Derek Ferrar, Media Relations Specialist, External Affairs |
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Introduction to EWS Associates, Ms. Noreen Tanouye, Assistant Alumni Officer, Associates Office |
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13 Sept |
(Sat) |
East Asia Security Overview |
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Current Issues in Chinese Law |
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Luncheon & Roundtable Discussion with the University of Hawaii Parvin Fellows |
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Discussion of study tour |
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14 Sept |
(Sun) |
Free |
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15 Sep |
(Mon) |
Fellows leave for Beijing |
Beijing (16 – 20 Sept 08) (4 nights)
16 Sept |
(Tue) |
Fellows arrive Beijing |
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17 Sept |
(Wed) |
Great Wall |
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Tiananmen Square, National Theatre, Forbidden City |
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Dinner hosted by Better Hong Kong Foundation at Wuyi Fengwei Restaurant |
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18 Sept |
(Thu) |
Meeting with Vice President Chen Yulu and teachers and students of Renmin University of China |
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Meeting with the National Development & Reform Commission |
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Visit the International Press Centre (IPC) |
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Lunch hosted by Qin Gang, Spokesman, joined by officials from the Department of North American & Oceanian Affairs and the Information Department of Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
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Meeting with Liu Mingkang, Chairman, China Banking Regulatory Commission |
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Hou Hai Huton tour (visit a family who received foreigners during the Olympics) |
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Meeting with founder Zhang Zhaoyang and staff of Sohu.com |
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Dinner hosted by Sohu.com |
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19 Sept |
(Fri) |
Meeting with State Environmental Protection Bureau |
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Meeting and lunch with Beijing Office of the HKSAR |
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Sun Weide, Spokesman of the Beijing Organising Committee for Games of the XXIX Olympics |
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Visit Water Cube, Bird Nest, etc. Olympic venues |
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20 Sept |
(Sat) |
Leave for Kunming |
Yunan (20 – 24 Sept 08)
Kunming (1 night)
20 Sept |
(Sat) |
Arrive Kunming |
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Visit the Stone Forest |
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Dinner hosted by BHKF |
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21 Sept |
(Sun) |
Leave for Shangrila |
Shangrila (2 nights)
21 Sept |
(Sun) |
Arrive Shangrila |
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Visit Gedan Songzanlin Lamasery |
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Lunch hosted by BHKF |
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Visit Pudacuo National Park |
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Dinner hosted by BHKF |
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22 Sept |
(Mon) |
Visit Diqing Branch of Yunnan Buddhism College |
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Visit Xiagei Cultural Eco-tourism Village; visit Tibetan folk handicraft workshops and Tibetan families |
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Lunch at the village (hosted by the BHKF) |
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Visit Tibetan Mastiff Breading Base |
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Visit Dukezong Old Town |
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Interview with Mr. Qi Zhala, Party Secretary of the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture |
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Dinner hosted by Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefectural People’s Government |
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23 Sept |
(Tue) |
Visit Tangdui Village in Nixi Township; view black pottery making and Nixi Chicken breeding processes, and visit local Tibetan families |
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Lunch at the village |
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Visit Shangri-la Alpine Botanic Park |
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Visit Gesang Flowers Company |
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Leave for meadow sightseeing |
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Leave for Kunming |
Kunming (1 night)
23 Sept |
(Tue) |
Arrive Kunming |
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24 Sept |
(Wed) |
Visit Kunming City Planning Exhibition Centre |
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Luncheon hosted by H.E. Gu Zhaoxi, Vice Governor of Yunnan Provincial People’s Government |
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Leave Kunming for Hong Kong by KA761 |
Hong Kong (24 – 27 Sept 08) (3 nights)
24 Sept |
(Wed) |
Arrive Hong Kong |
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25 Sept |
(Thu) |
Breakfast meeting with Mr. Archie Tsim (Chief Financial Officer) & Mr. Henry Law (Executive Vice President, Head of Corporate Communications Dept) of HKEx |
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Meeting with Mr. Lu Xinhua, Commissioner of Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong |
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Lunch hosted by Mr. C Y Leung , Convenor of the Executive Council (Exco) of the HKSAR, with Exco members, Mr. Andrew Liao, Mr. Ronald Arculli, Dr. C H Leong, Prof Anthony Cheung, Mr. Bernard Chan, Mr. Jasper Tsang |
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Meeting with Mrs. Helen Chan, Acting Government Economist at Economic Analysis & Business Facilitation |
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Meeting with Mr. Edward Yau, Secretary for Environment |
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Dinner with Foundation members and guests at Dynasty Club |
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26 Sept |
(Fri) |
Meeting with AmCham members, Zoher Abdoolcarim, Peter Stein (Bureau Chief Hong Kong, The Wall Street Journal Asia) at Renaissance Harbour View Hotel |
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Table hosted by the Foundation at the AmCham luncheon at Renaissance Harbour View Hotel |
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Meeting with Mr Wong Yan-lung, Secretary for Justice |
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Meeting with Mr. C H Tung, Vice Chairman of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and first former Chief Executive of HKSAR |
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27 Sept |
(Sat) |
Depart Hong Kong |
Beijing
Visit to Great Wall
Visit to Forbidden City
Tiananmen Square
National Theatre
Visit to Renmin University of China
Presenting souvenir to Vice President Chen Yulu (2nd left)
Group photo with teachers and students of the Remin University of China
Visit to National Development and Reform Commission’s Bureau of Energy
Presenting souvenir to show our appreciation
Group photo after the meeting
Visit to International Press Center
Luncheon hosted by Mr. Qin Gang, Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Presenting souvenirs to Mr. Qin (middle)
Group photo with Mr. Qin and his colleagues from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Meeting with Mr. Liu Mingkang, Chairman of China Banking Regulatory Commission
Exchanging views on the recent global financial crisis
Presenting souvenir to Mr. Liu
Group photo after the meeting
Hou Hai Huton tour
Visit to a family who received foreigners during the Olympics
Group photo at the garden inside the Huton
Meeting with Dr. Charles Zhang, Founder and Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of SOHU.com
Presenting souvenir to Dr. Zhang (middle)
Visit to the headquarters of SOHU.com
The delegation is pleased to receive the mascot of Beijing Olympics
Meeting with the State Environmental Protection Bureau
Group photo with officials of the Bureau
Visit to the Beijing Office of the HKSAR Government
Presenting souvenir to Mr Sidney Chan, Deputy Director of Beijing Office (2nd left) and Mr. Allen Fan, Chairman of Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in China (3rd left)
Group photo in front of the Beijing Office
Luncheon hosted by the Beijing Office of the HKSAR Government
Visit to the Beijing Organizing Committee for Games of the XXIX Olympics
Presenting souvenir to Mr. Sun Weide, Spokesman of the Organizing Committee
Group photo with Mr. Sun
Visit to Bird Nest
Visit to Water Cube
Visit to Stone Forest
The journalist (speaking) participating in the performance when dinning at a local restaurant
Arrived Shangri-la
Gedan Songzanlin Lamasery
Meeting the Living Buddha (in red cloth) at Gedan Songzanlin Lamasery
Chatting with lamas at the Lamasery
Overview of Gedan Songzanlin Lamasery
Visit to Pudacuo National Park, the first national park in China
Visit to Diqing Branch of Yunnan Buddhism College
Interviewing a teacher of the College
Visit to Xiagei Cultural Eco-tourism Village
Tibetan lunch
People of the Village singing a song to welcome the delegation
Traditional Tibetan hand painting
Making Tibetan incense
Woodblock printing of Buddhist manuscripts
Visit to Tibetan Mastiff Breading Base
Visit to Dukezong Old Town
Interviewing Mr. Qi Zhala, Party Secretary of the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (1st left)
Dinner hosted by Mr. Qi
Performers singing a song to welcome all the guests
Presenting souvenir to Mr. Qi Zhala
A journalist joining the dancing group at the Dukezong Old Town square
Visit to a local Tibetan family in Tangdui Village in Nixi Township
Napa Sea
Meadow sightseeing
Yak boat
Visit to Kunming City Planning Exhibition Center
Luncheon hosted by Mr. Gu Zhaoxi, Vice Governor of Yunnan Provincial People’s Government
Presenting souvenir to Mr. Gu
Breakfast meeting hosted by the Hong Kong Stock Exchange
Meeting with Mr. Archie Tsim, Chief Financial Officer of HKEx (middle)
Meeting with Mr. Lu Xinhua, Commissioner of Commissioner’s Office of Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong (right)
Headquarters of the Commissioner’s Office
Presenting souvenir to Mr. Lu
Group photo with Mr. Lu after the meeting
Mr. C Y Leung hosted a luncheon to the delegation
Members of the Executive Council also joined the luncheon
Thanking Mr. Leung for hosting the luncheon
Meeting Mrs. Helen Chan, Acting Government Economist (1st right)
Presenting souvenir to Mrs. Chan (Middle)
Visit to Environmental Bureau
Meeting Mr. Edward Yau, Secretary for the Environment
Dr. Henry Cheng (sitting middle), Foundation’s Advisory Council Chairman meeting the delegation at the dinner hosted by the Foundation
Informal discussion with Chairman and members of the American Chamber of Commerce (Hong Kong)
The Foundation hosted a table to the delegation at the AmCham luncheon
Meeting with Mr. Wong Yan-lung, Secretary for Justice
Group photo with Mr. Wong (4th right)
Meeting Mr. Tung Chee-hwa at the Office of Former Chief Executives
Group photo with Mr. Tung