THE one thing that is clear is that we cannot compare China to any other country in the world, nor compete due to the fact that not all are the same.
Having been there for just a week, I would like to share my personal opinion and fresh insights on China – the modernized China under the Road and Belt Initiative (BRI) that some of you may have already known.
In pursuing the more than 100-year-old dream of building a powerful country and reviving China, it has focused on understanding and learning from others, but seldom if ever did others learned from and or understood them.
This has not greatly changed in the course of modernization since China`s reform and opening up in 1978. The translation and introduction of many Western works in the 1980s and 1990s are very good examples.
Recently, in the mountain city and river city, also known as Chongqing, which is located in the South Western inland China and on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, over 90 foreign journalists including a good number of local Chinese organizations converged to learn and share insights during the 2024 Belt journalists’ forum.
Hosted by the All-China Journalists Association and the Publicity Department of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee and organized by Chongqing Journalist Association and Western China International Communication Organization, the forum themed ‘Expand the Pathway of Opportunities – Share a Bright Future’ looked at ways to enhance and integrate the ecological synergy alongside the infrastructure and economic development, innovation and technology.
During the field trips and amongst sites visited, in the inner Wulong District tourism hub, which is leading the way in green development, was an eye opener in terms of its rich historical and cultural heritage. Covering 2,901 square kilometers and home to 13 cultural ethnic groups, it is one of the world’s best tourism villages, an initiative that not only comes with economic benefits-but revitalization and retention of the environmental ecology.
Currently active to establish China`s first and world-class tourist and resort destination, the first quarter of 2024 saw a GDP RMB5.865 billion marking a 6.1percent increase.
Alongside this is the breathtaking landscape of the three natural bridges spiral staircase which is a UNESCO world natural heritage site. Built along the Cliffside, this impressive structure is a perfect blend of the natural beauty and human engineering.
These aside, the human carriage along the bridges was so intriguing to a first timer like me – it tells me more about the hard labor by these indigenous people and what they are known for during ancient times which is still visible today.
The Chongqing Baiheliang underwater museum is but an addition to the many historical revitalizations to breathe life into the city. Famous for its 165 inscriptions carved by renowned writers and calligraphers from the Tang dynasty onwards, it is the world’s first ancient hydrological station in the world. It is also recognized by UNESCO as the first underwater museum in the world.
While other Chinese cities and the world are Watching, Chongqing is making headways in preserving, revitalizing its renowned historical cultural city in China with its recorded history of over 3,000 yrs.
Having had tremors opportunities with the array of national initiatives, the steady progress made in advancing the Chengdu-Chongqing mega region is vital for high-quality growth in China.
The development of the new international land-sea trade corridor-aligned with the belt and road initiative is picking up speed. Accessed by 480 ports in 120 countries and regions of the World -Chongqing city is entrusted with the key responsibility in ensuring this is materialized.
Since 1929 to date, as a metropolitan area covering 28,700 square kilometers it has a strong urban capacity in driving the city`s capabilities in smart governance, high quality development, quality of life and modern development to new heights.
Those aside, the two-day journalists’ forum and roundtable discussions on the 31 August and 1 September 2024 highlighted some important and urgent matters that need more collaboration and partnership to ensure their effectiveness in terms of development into the future.
One of the topics discussed and I had the opportunity to be part of was the introduction of Artificial Intelligence in driving cutting edge technological era – AI driving social development.
Whilst there are mix feelings by journalists from different countries on the advantages and benefits of AI, there is still some consensus around which industries and infrastructures as well as technological gadgets to enhance economic development in the first world countries.
AI is here to stay, the usage and generation of the kind of information has to be managed so as not to disadvantage sectoral developments in any way.
Since its inception in 2017, this forum continues to attract and engage with a wide range of media practitioners who have differing views and opinions on various issues and topics, which is useful to inform future forums under the BRI`s by various participants.
As the saying goes, seeing is believing. I for one agree that until you set foot on this soil, you will realize and visualize the China of today.
As the lead city in modernization here, if it is livable, green and innovative, the rest of China follows suit and with AI at the back drop, China is truly leading the way into a shared and brighter future for its people and that of the world.
By Elizabeth Sade
SIBC
