by David Xicotencatl Méndez Dorantes
Journalist of Club Primera Plana, Mexico
I begin my presentation by thanking the All-China Journalist Association (ACJA) for the opportunity to present myself before the members of the Belt and Road Journalist Forum and visit this transcendental area of southwest China, considered the largest in the country with a population of approximately 34 million inhabitants and a dynamic development. I also had the good fortune to observe both the scenic splendor of the jurisdiction of Chongqing, coupled with the socioeconomic importance of the region.
For the press it is clear that the world economy is experiencing increasing pressures, which makes global development face challenges, however, it is evident that the world continues to hold on to its conviction of a historic trend for peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefits, as shown by the dynamism of the areas visited in this young municipality.
President Xi Jinping has consistently reiterated the need to establish solid commitments for cooperation and development, through which achievements can be made for the consolidation of the Belt and Road Initiative, as has been established for more than a decade, which considers the reinforcement of a better future for humanity.
The first activities were held on Tuesday 27th of this month at the Chongqing Planning Exhibition Gallery, where dozens of journalists were clearly and forcefully shown aspects related to the technology applied to carry out the stated plan. The event was highlighted by the presence of 5 Mexican journalists.
Those of us who have had the opportunity to be in places that more than 50 years ago were backward areas of China, and today are experiencing impressive development, driven by the government of the People’s Republic of China, make it clear to us that these advances are tangible evidence of the government’s aspirations to create new perspectives of progress and strength for the People’s Republic of China.
According to information provided to reporters during the visit to the Chongqing International Hub Park, the comprehensive transformation of an area into an industrial city is focused on the gradual construction of a spatial structure with an axis, corridors and development areas. The axis is centered on science. Corridors: Baili River Gallery and Zhongliang Mountain Ecological Corridor, among other aspects such as land, finance and business.
Of no less importance was the visit to the Chongqing Railway Terminal Station, where technology is displayed to present in a large exhibition all that has been developed by this important communication route both at a national level and in a growing volume of international activities focused on globalization, which currently has 54 countries united and focused on sustained global growth.
The tour of the ceramic manufacturing area is one of the pillars of the economy of this District and is based on the production of pieces in high demand at national and international level, and is also an important generator of sources of employment.
The group of journalists assigned to this area witnessed all the stages of the manufacturing process and the great effort made, even by descendants of men and women who made it possible for it to continue to exist today and to represent a contribution to the economy of Rongchang.
Located in an area that was once considered an elitist area, visitors can access modern facilities where they can see the wide variety of handcrafted items made on site. They even invite men and women to witness the process that has been in place for several generations.
A highlight of the day was the press conference given by the Secretary of Rongchang District, Ms. Wan Rong; most of the questions asked by the international journalists who attended the event focused on the use of natural resources to generate increasing economic stability; also, there was an answer to the issue of promoting culture, which is one of President Xi Jinping’s premises.
Summer clothes and their production were also part of the day: the techniques for making silk, linen and cotton clothes were explained so that the population has the appropriate material to keep
their clothes cool in the high temperatures that prevail in the region. Each step for the manufacture of these clothes was detailed, and even the looms that were used hundreds of years ago by the inhabitants who invented these crafts were considered.
In the same way as the manufacture of ceramics, we were invited to witness the technique used in the production of clothes and their colouring. A descendant of the dynasty that started these activities praised the economic importance and the generation of sources of employment. In both cases, the hosts praised the economic benefits that these activities represent for the District’s treasury.
The culmination of the long day on Wednesday was a tour around the facilities of the Administrative Services Center of the Rongchang District, where the guides in charge of presenting the activities that these types of public offices carry out, serve an average of 1,200 users a day, who present diverse needs ranging from birth certificates, utility payments, among many other requirements. The great sense of organization captured by the foreign visitors is evident and it was explained that there are similar centers every 21 streets.
Chongqing Expressway Logistics Base is part of the strategic development plan which plans 3 bases and 3 port zones. It is China’s pilot free trade zone. It has been ratified as a national logistics center for trade and exchange and is a first-class cold chain logistics base. It is a national e-commerce logistics park; it forms a pattern of e-commerce, comprehensive logistics, international trade, food and agricultural product processing; the market turnover amounts to 600,000M yuan. It is one of the 3 major transportation hubs. 91 operating in Chongqing and is the new land and sea corridor in the west of the country.
The ASEAN Foodstuffs Industrial Park focuses on the international trade of food, fruits, vegetables, frozen seafood and cereals among other products. The supply chain is concentrated in a worldclass product exhibition center. The first phase of the project is expected to have an annual turnover of 75,000M Yuan and employ 20,000 people.
During a visit to the demonstration of electric vehicle prototypes and the advances, many of them
through the use of artificial intelligence, it was made clear why China predominates in the manufacture of this type of transport. They reported that the autonomy of an electric vehicle is approximately 650 km and recharging the battery only requires 15 minutes. Likewise, the journalists were shown the great advance in terms of integral safety as well as the outstanding finishes of each of the prototypes.
The Haifu Development Center is the first in the world to innovate in the treatment of cancer using ultrasound. The exhibition of the equipment designed for the detection of cancer and the efficient attack of the disease in minimum time is intended to modify the patterns of traditional medicine. The leaders of Haifu proudly spread the achievements of this new technology, which they assure is the product of researchers from that institution. They emphasized that they have achieved the removal of cancer without surgery in invasive processes without discomfort or secondary reactions.
The visit to the Chongqing Zoo showed us the habitat of the Panda Bear and reminded us that decades ago Mexico was lucky enough to receive a pair of this breed as a donation and that the climate of Mexico was conducive to the mating and birth of 2 cubs: Jing Jing and Towi. The great attraction that this zoo has for locals and foreigners is evident and the importance of the care and protection that is provided for the well-being of the species is clear.
The journalists participating in the 2024 Belt and Road Journalist Forum enjoyed a special convoy of the urban monorail line 2 that serves thousands of passengers daily and explained that this system has an approximate network of more than 500 km. The system is stable and inside it the speed at which each train travels is not perceived. It should be noted that it is the longest monorail in the world and also runs through a building whose lower part is a shopping center and the upper part is for residential use. With this activity, the activities scheduled from Tuesday, August 27 to Friday, August 30 in various spaces of the municipality of Chongqing were concluded.
It is worth remembering that the 2024 Belt and Road Journalism Forum, which is holding its opening ceremony this afternoon, is a forum for media organizations from the Belt and Road region and a mechanism for exchange and cooperation with specific content.
It seeks to have communication leaders negotiate and develop cooperation projects and promote joint activities. In addition, it is an instrument that invites to consolidate President Xi Jinping’s international cooperation initiative, to turn it into a route of peace, prosperity, openness, innovation and civilization.
Being present at these transcendental events and important meetings, in emblematic places of the great Asian nation such as Chongqing and some of its districts, ensures that each of the spaces visited leaves unprecedented experiences, which also predict optimal expectations for the future and enrich knowledge and capture unforgettable memories in memory.
Realizing the Chinese dream together.
*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.