Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe in Beijing, China
Zimbabwean journalists have been urged to harness the power of audio-visual technology including mobile phones to tell compelling stories about poverty alleviation, a move that will not only inspire local development but also deepen the “five-star ironclad” relations between Zimbabwe and China.
Professor Zhang Long of the School of Journalism and Communication at the Communication University of China made the remarks during his presentation, “Technology Empowered Audio-Visual Communication: How to Tell the Story of Chinese Modernisation through Visual Media,” to a delegation of Zimbabwean journalists here in Beijing.
Speaking to the visiting journalists on Wednesday as part of a Seminar for Media Professionals for Zimbabwe, Prof Zhang emphasised that poverty alleviation is not separate from modernisation, it is the very foundation of it.
“Chinese modernisation is characterised by common prosperity for all.
“Targeted poverty alleviation is China’s pathway to achieving modernisation. It shows that development must be balanced, inclusive, and people-centred,” Prof Zhang said.
He pointed to a uniquely Chinese mechanism that Zimbabwe could study closely.
“Here in China we have what we call targeted poverty alleviation strategy where talented individuals in communities who are called First Secretary are identified. “They could be teachers or artists and they are sent to rural areas to use their skills and knowledge to alleviate poverty.
“They sacrifice their professions to alleviate poverty. In China, teachers are well respected,” said Professor Zhang.
On the related targeted poverty alleviation program, last week Ambassador Sun Jiwen (Ret) of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that another cornerstone of China’s success is inter-provincial pairing.
“China has adopted a policy where rich provinces twin with poor provinces to assist them to grow economically.
“This twinning arrangement brings investment, technical expertise and market access to poorer regions. It is solidarity in action.
“This is how China ensures no region is left behind on the march to modernisation,” he said.
He noted that most “young people are now migrating from cities to rural areas to improve their communities.”
Prof Zhang stressed that audio-visual media can powerfully communicate success stories as part of telling the story of Chinese modernisation.
“Use drones to show transformation before and after, from muddy villages to modern towns.
“Use mobile journalism to follow one family’s journey out of poverty. Visual evidence builds public trust and political will.
” This is how China tells its modernisation story to the world,” he told the delegation.
He indicated that visual storytelling is a powerful tool to convey messages.
For instance, he said in 2025, about 1 093 billion online views had watched videos online and short online videos had generated 1 074 billion views.
“Zimbabwe is a warm country with rich history. So tell the story of Zimbabwe to Chinese audience and to the world and that will strengthen our mutual corporation,” he said.
The engagement is organised by The Academy for International Business Officials (AIBO), an educational and training institution directly under the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China.
Participants are drawn from public and private media houses and other key stakeholders.
The seminar, which runs from 7-20 May, is designed to help Zimbabwean media practitioners gain a deeper insight into China’s media landscape, foster a full understanding of China’s current development trajectory as well as its modernisation initiatives.
Led by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda, the delegation’s presence signals Harare’s intent to move beyond Western-dominated global media narratives and build a direct storytelling channel between Zimbabwe and China.
