CHINA is no longer a strange land to me after my recent third visit to the municipality of Chongqing.
My relationship with China began during a trip with the Solomon Islands delegation to the World Expo in Shanghai in 2010. Though brief and largely confined to the Expo village, that initial visit sparked my interest.
A subsequent trip in December 2019 significantly expanded my understanding of the country.
From December 5th to 14th, 2019, I was part of a group of 12 Solomon Islands journalists representing mainstream media, the private sector and the Government Communication Unit, who visited the People’s Republic of China (PRC) for a “cultural exchange” trip.
This visit, organized by the PRC Embassy in Papua New Guinea, followed a meeting with local media in November.
It was part of the cultural exchange component of the Education Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the governments of Solomon Islands and PRC.
Led by former Deputy Secretary to the Prime Minister, Dr Derek Mane, our team visited Beijing, Guangzhou, Jiangmen in Guangdong, Sanya and Shanghai.
This trip was historic, marking a significant step in the newly established Sino-Solomon Islands relations.
During our visit, I gained a deeper appreciation for China’s rich history, stretching back 5,000 years to the Pre-Qin Period (2100-221 BC), Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), and Tang Dynasty (618-907).
We explored Chinese culture, tourism, infrastructure development, traditional medicine, and modern architecture, visiting landmarks such as the Canton Tower in Guangzhou and the Shanghai Tower and Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai.
Another focal point was China’s socialist system, which has lifted millions of its 1.3 billion people out of poverty.
According to Chinese standards, 70 million people still live in poverty, though the World Bank estimates this number to be closer to 700 million.
Under the leadership of Xi Jinping, the Communist Party of China remains committed to realizing the Two Centenary Goals and the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.
Through the Four-pronged Strategy, China has achieved remarkable progress in reform, opening up, and socialist modernization.
This 2019 trip was especially eye-opening compared to my 2010 visit.
The development in cities like Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai had reached new heights with impressive infrastructure projects.
For example, the Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai features a revolving restaurant, and the Yangshan Deep Water Port, connected by the 32-kilometer Donghai Bridge, is a marvel of modern engineering.
One of the most impactful experiences was visiting the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital in Sanya, where we learned how traditional practices integrate with modern medicine.
We also toured a botanical garden in Sanya, which not only preserves a variety of plants but also utilizes them for medicinal and commercial purposes.
However, the trip also revealed certain barriers.
China’s media operates within a socialist system, where news must be vetted before publication—a stark contrast to the media freedom enjoyed in Solomon Islands.
Despite these differences, our visit underscored a shared goal between China and the Solomon Islands: lifting people out of poverty. China’s socialist policies have propelled it to the position of the world’s second-largest economy, behind the United States.
More recently, I had the opportunity to return to China for the 2024 Belt and Road Journalists Forum, held from August 27 to 31.
I was invited, along with Elizabeth Sade of Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC), by the All-China Journalists Association (ACJA) and the Western China International Communication Organisation (WCICO).
The theme of the Forum was “Expand the Path of Opportunities, Share a Bright Future.”
The Forum was an international gathering of 92 media leaders from around the world.
For me, it was another significant step in my journalistic career, offering a platform to connect with journalists from Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas.
Never before had I participated in a forum where 92 journalists from 48 countries sat together under one roof.
Due to the size of the delegation, the organizers divided us into four groups for sightseeing around various districts in Chongqing.
I was initially placed in Group 4 with Mrs Sade but was later reassigned to Group 1 due to a prior engagement in India, which delayed my arrival.
Our group visited several notable sites, including the Dazu Rock Carvings, Dawa Future Studio, Great Wall Motors’ Smart Factory, Chongqing City Vocational College, and the Yangtze River cruise.
A highlight of the tour was the Dawa Future Studio, which is advancing metaverse technologies through virtual and extended reality (VR and XR) and AI. The studio’s work has been featured in major films, including The Battle at Lake Changjin, a Chinese war epic.
At Great Wall Motors’ Smart Factory, we observed state-of-the-art manufacturing processes with a planned annual production capacity of 160,000 vehicles.
The factory boasts a high degree of automation, with over 100 robots working in the welding and painting workshops.
This level of innovation demonstrates China’s leadership in automotive technology and new energy vehicles.
On August 29, I rejoined my group 4 to visit the zoo and train station, before attending the main Forum on August 31.
If I were to compare my third visit to China with my previous two, I would echo the words of Moritz Nicolaus Lohmann, co-founder of Hamburg Welcomes You: “Hearing about something 100 times is not the same as seeing it once.” Chongqing’s vibrant scenery, nature, and atmosphere left me in awe.
One unforgettable experience was the Yangtze River cruise, which reminded me of New York City. The illuminated buildings along the river created a stunning and colorful scene as we enjoyed our time on the ferry deck.
While some claim Chongqing has seen less development than cities like Beijing and Shanghai, every city has its own unique charm.
Chongqing’s mountainous landscape reminds me of home, where many provinces are blessed with mountains, rivers, and seas.
During the Forum, I realized that investigative journalism is thriving in China.
We watched a film documenting a journalist’s investigation into a sewage system that ultimately led to the problem being addressed by authorities.
Chinese journalists have also travelled to countries like Syria, Rwanda, and Argentina to counter misinformation spread by Western media.
One female journalist shared her experience of traveling thousands of miles to Argentina to correct false claims by Western media regarding a Chinese-funded hydro project.
In conclusion, my recommendation to the Chinese government and organizers is to continue these programs and invite more young journalists from the Solomon Islands.
Such opportunities will provide invaluable insights into China’s people, culture, technological advancements, and rapid economic progress.
This knowledge will better equip us to write informed stories that can inspire development in our own country.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
Sub-Editor/Political Reporter, Solomon Star
