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 6th 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 “Bridging the Gaps in Understanding between China and the United States”.
A delegation of six senior U.S. journalists visited Beijing, Xi’an and Hong Kong from 4 – 16 September 2015 while five Chinese journalists visited New York and Washington D.C. in the U.S. during the same period. After their respective study tours, all Chinese and American journalists met in Washington D.C. 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. Daniel BEEKMAN, Reporter, Seattle Times, Washington
– Mr. Andy CURLISS, State Government Editor, The News & Observer, North Carolina
– Ms. Carrie HALPERIN, Producer at Fareed Zakaria GPS, CNN, New York
– Ms. Lomi KRIEL, Reporter, The Houston Chronicle, Texas
– Mr. Robert LITTLE, Senior Investigative Editor, National Public Radio, Washington DC
– Ms. Sandra WARD, Senior Editor, Barron’s, New York
Organizations visited:
Beijing
– Ministry of Foreign Affairs
– National Development and Reform Commission
– National Health and Family Planning Commission
– HKSAR Government Office in Beijing
– China Institute of International Studies
– School of Journalism and Communication, Tsinghua University
– Xinhuanet
– Wall Street Journal, Beijing Bureau
Xi’an
– Mr. Han Song, Vice Mayor of Xi’an Municipal People’s Government
– Xi’an Hi-tech Industries Development Zone
– Xi’an International Trade & Logistic Park
– Micron Technology Xi’an Company
– Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum
– Shaanxi History Museum
– Tang West Market Museum
– Museum of Forest of Stone Tablets
– Big Wild Goose Pagoda
– South Gate of Ancient City Wall
Hong Kong
– Mr. Leung Chun-ying, Chief Executive of the HKSAR
– Mr. Tung Chee-hwa, Vice Chairman of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and first Chief Executive of the HKSAR
– Mr. Rimsky Yuen, Secretary for Justice of the HKSAR Government
– Deputy Commissioner Song Ru’an, Office of Commissioner of the PRC’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in HKSAR
– Mr. Tom Cooney, Deputy Consul General of American Consulate General
– Ms. Starry Lee, Member of the Executive Council cum Legislative Councilor
– Hong Kong Monetary Authority
– Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd
– West Kowloon Culture District Authority
– American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong
– Vision 2047 Foundation
List of Chinese journalists
– Mr. ZHAO Cheng, Vice President, Liaoning Bureau, Xinhua News Agency
– Ms. QI Dongxiang, Deputy Director, Commentary and Theoretic Department, Economic Daily
– Mr. YI Bowen, Vice Director, Important News Department, Hunan Daily
– Ms. QU Ge, News Anchor, Jiangxi Radio and TV Station
– Ms. GUO Huiting, Reporter, Radio and TV Station of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps
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.
Meeting with representatives from Information Department and Department of North America and Oceania, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Meeting with representatives from Information Department and Department of North America and Oceania, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Meeting with Mr. Leung Chun-ying, Chief Executive of the HKSAR
Meeting with Mr. Tung Chee-hwa (4th right), Vice Chairman of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and first Chief Executive of the HKSAR
On behalf of the Foundation, Executive Committee Chairman Mr. Ronnie Chan (middle) hosting a dinner where members of the Foundation and guests exchanging views with the delegation on various issues
Chinese and U.S. journalists met at Washington DC for exchange and dialogues