In an effort to enhance the understanding of China and Hong Kong by American media, since 1996 the Foundation has invited between six to eight 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 organized the third 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. The theme of this year’s program is “New U.S.-China Relationship”.
A delegation of six senior U.S. journalists visited Beijing, Nanchang and Hong Kong from 26 October – 6 November 2013 while seven Chinese journalists visited Washington D.C., New York and Seattle in the U.S. during the same period. After their respective study tours, all Chinese and American journalists met in Honolulu to report on their experiences and to exchange opinions on how media coverage of each country can be improved. Through direct dialogue with local authorities and communities in different areas and seeing the developments for themselves, the U.S. journalists gain a better understanding of the current situation and future development of Hong Kong and Mainland China.
List of U.S. journalists:
- Mr. Saeed Ahmed, Supervising News Editor, CNN
- Mr. Kevin Beesley, Asia Editor, National Public Radio
- Mr. Joshua Keating, Staff Writer, Slate Magazine
- Ms. Valerie Volcovici, Correspondent, Reuters
- Mr. Brian Wingfield, Energy/Trade Reporter, Bloomberg News
- Mr. Alan Wirzbicki, Editorial Page Writer & Editor, Boston Globe
Organizations visited:
Beijing
- Ministry of Commerce
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- HKSAR Government Office in Beijing
- China Institute of International Studies
- China Public Diplomacy Association
- Baidu, Inc
- Global Times
- American Chamber of Commerce in PRC
Meeting with Mr. Shen Danyang (3rd right), Spokesman of Ministry of Commerce
Nanchang
- Jiangxi Provincial Foreign Affairs and Overseas Chinese Affairs Office
- Nanchang High-tech Industrial Development Zone
- Nanchang Kohler Ltd
- LatticePower (Jiangxi) Corporation
- Aixi Lake Everglades Park
- Rizhao Community, Guling Village, Mt Lushan
- Lushan Auditorium, Meilu Villa and other scenic spots, Mt Lushan
Visit to Nanchang High-tech Industrial Development Zone
Hong Kong
- Mr. C H Tung, Vice Chairman of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and first Chief Executive of the HKSAR
- Deputy Commissioner Jiang Yu, Office of Commissioner of the PRC’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in HKSAR
- Acting Consul General Tom Cooney, American Consul-General
- Mr. Jasper Tsang, President of the Legislative Council
- Department of Justice
- Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd
- Hong Kong Monetary Authority
- Urban Renewal Authority
- American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong
- Vision 2047 Foundation
- HKGolden50
Mr. C H Tung (middle), Vice Chairman of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and first Chief Executive of the HKSAR hosting a luncheon for the delegation
On behalf of the Foundation, Executive Committee Chairman Mr. Ronnie Chan (front row, 3rd right) hosting a dinner where members of the Foundation and guests exchanging views with the delegation on various issues
List of Chinese journalists
- Mr. Zhou Xun, Director, Editorial Office, Guangming Daily Press Group
- Ms. Feng Chunping, Senior Reporter, China Space News
- Mr. Duan Wenbin, Senior Editor, Heilongjiang Daily Group
- Ms. Chen Qian, General Director, Traffic Radio, Hubei Radio & TV Station
- Mr. Shang Deqi, Director, Culture & Education Department, Gansu Daily
- Mr. Tang Zhengyu, Reporter, Urban Life Radio, Fujian Media Group
- Mr. Dai Zhenhua, Chief Reporter, Chuncheng Evening News
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 to understand more about the general views from the U.S. interlocutors on the relationship between China and the U.S.