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China-Caribbean press center launched

Editor: Zhang Jianfeng 丨CCTV.com

04-19-2018 16:33 BJT

By Vicki Cann, PhD Candidate at Communication University of China

The China Public Diplomacy Association (CPDA) launched the China-Caribbean Press Centre 2018 Program in April at the Beijing International Chinese College (BICC).

Ambassador Wang Fukang of the Department of Personnel, Counsellor Wu Xiaojun of the Information Department; and Counselor Han Jing of the Department of Latin American & Caribbean Affairs from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Gong Jianzhong, Vice President of the CPDA and Madam Gui Fan, Vice President of the BICC attended the ceremony.

  

The China Public Diplomacy Association (CPDA) launched the China-Caribbean Press Centre 2018 Program on April 4th, 2018 at the Beijing International Chinese College (BICC). This photo shows several distinguished Chinese and Caribbean dignitaries alongside the journalists.

This program is a collaborative initiative of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which includes its partners such as the China Public Diplomacy Association and other related affiliates. During their month long stay in China, journalists will have an opportunity to learn about Chinese culture including Mandarin lessons.

In his opening remarks, the Vice President of the China Public Diplomacy Association, Gong Jianzhong, said:

"As we speak, China and the Caribbean States are entering a crucial period of rapid development. We should perceive our relations with foresight and vision, follow the trends of the times, strengthen traditional goodwill, enhance exchanges across the board, elevate our cooperation level and advance our comprehensive and cooperative partnership featuring mutual benefits and common development".

Wu Xiaojun, counselor of the Information Department at the PRC's Foreign Affairs Ministry, added,"China and the Caribbean states are all developing countries with time-honored friendship and mutual support. Our friendship has never faded because of the long distance. In recent years, China has been improving relations with Caribbean States and expanding our result-oriented cooperation. China has been and will always be a sincere and reliable friend of the Caribbean States."

Gui Fan, Vice President of BICC also thanked the Chinese dignitaries, as well as the Caribbean Ambassadors and diplomats and the corresponding media practitioners for attending the launch while speaking of her institution's role in this program,

"BICC has undertaken China-international press programs organized by the CPDA since 2014 and has enrolled 146 international students from 67 countries in Mandarin language programs. They have participated in cultural activities…...through these language studies and activities, they have learned more about China's development after four decades of reform and opening up as well as the daily lives of the Chinese people."

This is among the initial initiatives where Beijing seeks to engage the Caribbean media independently of Latin America or other countries in the region, serving as a prime example of China's people to people cultural media exchanges, which serves play crucial roles to China's public diplomacy initiatives. The media serves as the gatekeepers of information, news, as well as featured stories and are charged with the responsibility of disseminating their findings to the public-at-large.

Shere-Ann Noel, Information Officer at the Government Agency of Grenada (GIS) said,"This course will undoubtedly create an awareness among us, of the diverse culture of the Peoples Republic of China, foster greater ties and also create an opportunity for us journalists to network when we get back to our various countries … This opportunity will also put us in a better situation when speaking of China to our various audiences …On behalf of this dynamic group of journalists from the Caribbean, [a special] thank you to the China Public Diplomacy Association and to the BICC, I promise this group will not fail you."

The China Public Diplomacy Association launched its first media exchange program with several senior journalists representing a number of African countries. At that time, the 2014 China-Africa Press Center (CAPC) came into existence. The initiative was so successful that the program was extended to other African nations in 2015. The following year, the China-Asia Pacific Press Centre (CAPPC) was founded in 2017 when the China-Latin America Press Centre was also launched.

Following the official launch, journalists could interact with the Resident Caribbean Ambassadors and Mission Heads during an informal and open panel discussion held at the Embassy of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana on April 10.



Photo shows (from Left to Right, front row): Ms. Ayesha Wharton, Chargé d' Affaires a.i. of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago; H.E. Antonia Hugh of Jamaica; H. E. Denis E. Antoine of Grenada; H.E. Bayney Karran of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana; H.E. Robert Sterling Quant, of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas; Mr. Francois Jackman, Ambassador designate of Barbados and Mr. Jerrel Moriah, Chargé d' Affaires a.i. of the Republic of Suriname.

In keeping with its commitment to enhance more people to people and cultural exchange programs, not only at the student level, but at the professional level, this media initiative has continued to expand with each passing year. 2018 marks a new beginning for China-Caribbean media ties.


(The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Panview or CCTV.com. )

 

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