by Dzudzanani Netshisaulu
Photojournalist and Administrator of South African National Editors’ Forum, South Africa
I arrive at the Chongqing International Airport on Monday the 26th of August 2024, for 2024 Belt and Road Journalism Forum taking place in this historic city of Chongqing, China, and this with being my very first time in the People’s Republic of China, I come drenched with stereotypes and myths about China.
I have for years now believed that China was a country of dictatorship, strict laws, an unpleasant place for one to find themselves in. As I make my way through customs and immigration, panic sets in as I worry that for whatever reason I may be declined entry and be sent back home to South Africa.
A female police officer approaches me and asks for my passport and my arrival document, she immediately calls out the name of the Forum I was here for, clearly she is much aware of the influx of foreign internationals who will be making their way through the arrival gates.
She smiles, and offers to help me complete the arrival form, with the language barrier that faced us, we complete the form, and she directs me to the gate I need to go processed at and sets me off with a warm smile.
Well, we are off to a good start, I think to myself, I stand in the queue and one after the other we are all processed seamlessly and gently escorted to luggage collection by a male police officer this time around.
Walking out of the airport towards the arrival area, my colleague and I are greeted by a group of young people dressed in blue clothing, apart from the clothing, they wear big smiles and cheers in their faces, and ooze with excitement- they are the volunteers we were advised of by the organisers, and they have come to pick us up and take us to the hotel.
Again, there is that language barrier, while some do speak some English, we understand each other well, at some point we were short of exchanging warm hugs- total strangers who have never met or spoken, and having met a few minutes ago, we have connected in an amazing way.
The drive to the majestic Wyndham Chongqing Yuelia is a pleasant one, with cool water and an even cooler vehicle. Our arrival at Wyndham is one for the books, we are yet again welcomed with warmth, kindness and great enthusiasm.
Registration and check-in are done with a click of a finger- I am yet to come across such meticulous organising, especially for a big Forum. Of course, I now know that all I have been told about has been a lie, I am in a beautiful country of warm, thoughtful people full of humility and humbleness.
Culture, History and Heritage
The Forum is set to take place on Friday the 30th and Saturday the 31st of August, and the hosts of the Forum, the All-China Journalists Association (ACJA), along with their partner organisers, the Chongqing Journalists Association(CJA) and the Western China International Communication Organisation (WCICO), have gone out of their way to show us the beautiful city of Chongqing through a series of tours of some of their districts, tourists attractions, innovations and of course their modern and stylist infrastructures throughout the week.
Chongqing is a Southwestern inland city in China, which is draped by majestic panoramic views of mountains. Serene and tranquil rivers flow throughout the city, affording a tourist unforgettable memories of a city blessed with Mother Nature’s beauty. Chongqing is also known as the “Mountain City and “River City”, and with every glance one takes is reminded why this is.
Chongqing mothers the famous Yangtze River, which runs through the city, spreading a good 691 kilometres, then joined by the Jialing and Wujiang Rivers.
We kickstart the tour in the Wulong District where we are met with the magical beauty of the Fairy Mountain. The road to the Cook’s Club Hotel where we will retire for the Tuesday evening, gives the pleasure of a mountainous drive and a view of old residential buildings draped in red coloured images of Chinese drawings and the famous dragon.
The hospitality we receive from the hotel staff, the oh so delicious Chinese cuisine we are served had indeed made one settle and feel at home.
A brief history tour by the Wulong District’s Party Secretary, Mr He Qing during a dialogue with all the international journalists, shows how Chinese people draw their building strength from their history, and how much they have preserved their heritage over the years.
The morning tour of this district introduces us to the abundant natural resources Wulong boasts- the Three Natural Bridges, a UNESCO World Natural Site, is endowed with scenic landscape, uniqueness and sheer beauty- Mother Nature has created a gem of splendour posture.
Culture and heritage are carried out through the District of Wulong, Cultural heritage sites, villages, family farms, arts and crafts items created by locals and fresh fruit and vegetable stalls on the sides of the roads complement the district’s tourism drive effort.
City Life, Modernisation, Meets Antique and Relic Ways of Living through Food
We spend our third night in China at the Fuling Jinke Hotel, situated at the city centre of the Fuling District. The Jinke Hotel is adorned with latest furniture finishes, lavish and stylish setting, while their food speaks volumes about the hospitality of the Chinese. A ball room hall is set for our dinner, and we are served a spread of delicious Chinese cuisine. The meticulous attention from the hostesses on how we dine, my inability to use chop sticks and not know what I was eating was assuring and made one feel comfortable as they were there to guide me throughout.
The presentation of food in a rotating table and all of us sharing all the different dishes creates a sense of belonging and community.
The gentle-faced curious stares from strangers, followed by “Hallo, welcome to Chongqing” melted my heart.
The Fuling District is where we find the Baiheliang Underwater Museum, which carries so much information on the cultural Heritage Protection and Cultural inheritance through the inscriptions carved by writers and calligraphers from the Tang Dynasty on stones and preserved under water.
The Fuling Zhacai Group meanwhile preserves pickled vegetables that are meant to enhance local meals. Here, local farmers are afforded am opportunity to earn a constant salary for their own survival and sustainability, and this is through the Zhacai Group purchasing traditional vegetables used for the preservation of food.
Tech, Innovation and Renewal
The intelligent production of the Seres battery powered high-end and classy cars has set China apart in terms of innovation from its competitors. The smart manufactured new energy vehicles should form the already impressive list of “proud moments” China should boast about. The use of AI ensures the vehicles are completed to the very best quality out there.
2024 Belt and Road Journalists Forum
The Belt and Road Journalists Forum (BRJN) is an initiative by ACJA with the aim of journalists from China and around the world meeting to engage and exchange information. It was incepted in 2017 and marks its 6th anniversary this year.
This year’s Forum is under the theme, “Expand the Path of Opportunities, Share a Bright Future.”
This is my first time attending this Forum and I am grateful for the opportunity to see the journalism world through the eyes of China, and of the other journalists from across the world.
I have been immensely impressed by the great organising the organisers have done, I am yet to see a gathering of such magnitude organised with great attention. The thought that went to every detail of the agenda for the whole week, to the gratuity bags we received each time we entered our rooms- this is much appreciated.
I look forward to all the discussion that will be taking place on Saturday and intend on carrying as much information as possible to share with my organisation and fellow journalists back home.
My Fresh Insights of China
China doesn’t have to prove itself to anyone, this country has everything it needs, its people, culture, history, intelligence, humility, Nature’s blessing, I can go and on.
The warm and love from Chinese people, those I have met in the last few days and total strangers. The food, and the beauty this country has.
The level of order and decorum is applauded.
This nation has a lot to be proud of, China should be proud of what it has built and achieved.
As I set to depart back to my country in a day, I wish to return one day. I wait with great anticipation on what the future holds for the People’s Republic of China, I await to see what innovation will be bord from here, what new trend China will set, and obviously what solutions China and Road and Belt Journalists Network will come up as we walk together in this journey of preserving our media industry.
*The views and opinions expressed in the articles are solely those of the individual authors and do not reflect the position of the Secretariat of the Belt and Road Journalist Network.