Zimbabwean media urged to deepen China understanding through balanced reporting

Bongani Ndlovu in BEIJING, China

ZIMBABWEAN media professionals who have completed a two-week training seminar in Beijing have been urged to translate their experience into balanced reporting that deepens public understanding of China’s development trajectory and strengthens cooperation between the two countries.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of a two week engaging Seminar for Media Professionals for Zimbabwe on Wednesday, Director, Executive Department III of the Academy for International Business Officials (AIBO) in Beijing, Mr Wei Wu, said the programme was designed to foster mutual understanding, friendship and long-term collaboration between China and Zimbabwe’s media sectors.
He said the seminar had provided participants with an opportunity to experience China first-hand and engage with its social, economic and cultural development.
He said the participants had engaged actively throughout the programme, sharing reflections and insights from their stay in China.
“Many of you have been sharing your experiences and reflections through posts, videos and articles, repeatedly recording your gains and insights from the seminar,” he said.
Mr Wu said direct exposure was important in shaping accurate understanding, adding that “seeing is believing”, and urged the media professionals to reflect objectively on what they had observed.
He said the visit had enabled participants to gain insight into China’s development model and its broader global outlook.
“Through your stay in China, I believe that you have seen a real picture of China in an objective way and gained a better understanding of China’s economic, social and cultural development, as well as China’s commitment to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind,” he said.
Mr Wu underscored China’s historical narrative of exchange and cooperation, citing President Xi Jinping’s reflections on ancient trade routes and peaceful engagement among civilisations.
He said China remained committed to global cooperation grounded in mutual benefit and peaceful development.
“China stands ready to work with all forces of progress across the globe, bearing in mind the future of humanity and the well-being of the people to join the open up and even bright future,” he said.
Mr Wu said the seminar had strengthened communication between China and international media practitioners, laying the foundation for future collaboration.
“This seminar has built a richer bridge of communication and friendship between China and the macro-media circles,” said Mr Wu.
He added that the exchange had gone beyond a short-term training exercise, describing it as the beginning of sustained engagement between media professionals and Chinese institutions.
“Through open exchange and in-depth sharing, we have enhanced mutual understanding, measured cognitive differences and laid a solid foundation for long-term media cooperation and academic exchanges between our two countries,” he said.
Mr Wu said although the two-week programme was short, it was sufficient to provide participants with meaningful exposure to China’s modernisation journey and regional initiatives such as the Belt and Road Cooperation.
“A two-week seminar is also long enough to take a glimpse of a bright future of the Belt and Road Cooperation,” he said.
He encouraged the participants to carry forward the knowledge gained and to share their experiences with colleagues, families and wider audiences back home.
“I also hope that all of you will bring back our friendship and introduce the real China you have seen to your colleagues, friends and family members, and apply what you have learned in your work,” he said.
Mr Wu expressed hope for continued cooperation and stronger ties between China and international media communities.
“Let us work together to deepen understanding and friendship so as to lay a solid foundation for the building of a community with a shared future for mankind and make our world a better place for all,” he said.