By Selam Eshete
Editor in Chief of Fana Media Corporate, Ethiopia
The scent of ginger and garlic floated gently through the air as I watched the chef behind the counter at Addis Ababa’s Red Dragon Restaurant, nestled inside the Morning Star Mall. Around me, the soft clatter of chopsticks and quiet murmurs of conversation reflected the intimacy of shared meals – a tradition deeply valued in both Ethiopian and Chinese cultures.
An Ethiopian friend who had spent several years in China leaned across the table and smiled. “In China,” he said, “they believe the best conversations happen over shared meals.” His words struck a chord. Ethiopians, too, trust in the power of communal dining. We gather around a single large plate of injera, five or six at a time, to discuss everything from politics to family matters. In that familiar moment (amid the spicy aromas and shared values) my thoughts drifted nearly 9,000 kilometers away. I imagined myself navigating the bustling street markets, sipping green tea with fellow journalists, or interviewing local officials on global development.
In July, that vision will become reality. I will board a plane to Jiangxi Province to attend the Belt and Road Journalists Forum 2025. For me, this journey is more than just a professional opportunity, it’s a deeply personal milestone. As a woman journalist working in Ethiopia’s dynamic yet demanding media landscape, it is a chance not only to report but to truly experience, to listen closely, and to ask questions that go beyond the surface.
From Headlines to Human Stories…
Until now, my understanding of China has been shaped largely by secondhand accounts. My newsroom has covered many aspects of Ethio-China relations (from the Addis-Djibouti railway to agricultural partnerships) but most stories were filtered through official statements, press briefings, or academic reports.
At home, China is part of the urban fabric: the Confucius Institute where neighborhood children practice calligraphy, Chinese-run businesses across the capital, and the more than 50,000 Chinese expatriates who live and work in Ethiopia. These glimpses, while telling, are fragmented. What I now seek is the full picture, the layers and contradictions that lie beyond the press releases.
Cultural Homework…
Ever since I received my invitation to the forum, my days have taken on a new rhythm. Mornings begin with buna (coffee) and Mandarin greetings via Google Translate. (My accent still needs work, but every day brings a small improvement.) Evenings are reserved for documentaries exploring everything from Confucian philosophy to China’s tech-driven cities.
But no amount of digital content compares to the advice I’ve received from Ethiopian friends who’ve lived in China. One, a former scholarship student, demonstrated how to accept a business card – with both hands and a respectful nod. “This small gesture can open or close doors,” he explained. Another warned that direct questions, while normal in Ethiopian journalism, can sometimes come across as impolite in Chinese culture. These nuances don’t appear in training manuals, but they matter immensely.
The Weight of Representation…
Being the only Ethiopian woman journalist invited to this global and prestigious gathering brings a profound sense of responsibility. I will not just represent my media house, but my country, my colleagues, and the broader voice of African women in journalism.
A fellow journalist who attended the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) once told me, “Chinese officials will view your questions differently—because you’re African, and because you’re a woman. But that’s what makes your presence powerful.” She added, “The China you expect isn’t the China you’ll find. Let that surprise enrich you, not unsettle you.” Her words have anchored me, reminding me to approach this journey with equal parts curiosity and humility.
The Journey Begins Before the Flight…
Now, with the departure date fast approaching, I think not just about what to pack, but what I’ll carry within me. My luggage will hold notebooks and cameras, yes – but also the expectations of my peers, the stories entrusted to me by Chinese-Ethiopian friends, and a mission to humanize the often impersonal world of geopolitics.
I’ve come to realize that this journey began long before a plane ticket was booked. It started in quiet moments: savoring Chinese food in Addis, practicing new phrases, reflecting on what this experience might mean – not just for me, but for the readers and viewers back home.
When I land at Jiangxi Airport this July, I’ll step into a world of unknowns. But I’ll arrive ready with an open mind, thoughtful questions, and a determination to understand the realities behind the headlines. I hope to uncover not just the “rising dragon” of media tropes, but the everyday lives, values, and shared aspirations that link our countries and humanities around the globe.Because sometimes, the most meaningful reporting doesn’t begin with a breaking story – it begins with a shared meal, and a journalist’s open heart.
*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.