BY ZEKARIAS SINTAYEHU BELACHEW
Board Member, Editors Guild of Ethiopia, Ethiopia
Seven years have passed since my last visit to China, yet many of the impressions I formed during that journey remain vivid. I still remember standing on the Jiaozhou Bay Bridge in Qingdao, traveling through the undersea tunnel beneath the Yellow Sea, and witnessing infrastructure that once seemed impossible to imagine. More importantly, I remember leaving China with one conviction: development begins with a nation’s confidence that nothing is impossible.
As I prepare to attend the 2026 Belt and Road Journalists Forum in Jiangsu Province, I return not merely as a visitor, but as a journalist seeking a deeper understanding of China’s role in an increasingly interconnected world. My expectations are shaped both by my previous experiences and by the remarkable changes that have taken place globally since my last visit.
The world today faces unprecedented challenges. Geopolitical tensions, climate change, technological disruption, economic uncertainty, and the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence have reshaped international relations and raised important questions about the future of global governance. In such a world, dialogue among nations—and among journalists—has become more valuable than ever.
China has emerged as one of the most influential participants in these global conversations. Beyond its impressive economic growth, China has become a major partner for many developing countries, particularly in Africa. Ethiopia is one of the countries where this partnership is visible in everyday life. Roads, railways, industrial parks, telecommunications infrastructure, and manufacturing investments demonstrate a relationship that extends beyond trade into long-term development cooperation.
During my previous visit, I was fascinated not only by China’s engineering achievements but also by the sense of purpose reflected in its urban planning, environmental management, and technological innovation. Flying over the Chinese landscape, I observed carefully planned cities surrounded by green spaces, where development and environmental conservation appeared to coexist. Walking through Qingdao, I experienced a city that successfully blended historical heritage with modern infrastructure.
What impressed me even more was the confidence with which China embraces innovation. The country’s transition toward digital payments had already transformed daily life during my previous visit. Mobile technology had become deeply integrated into commerce, transportation, and public services long before many other parts of the world embraced similar systems. Today, I expect to witness how artificial intelligence and digital technologies are shaping China’s next stage of development.
As an Ethiopian journalist, I am particularly interested in understanding the principles behind China’s governance model rather than simply observing its achievements. Every country’s historical experience is unique, and no development model can be copied wholesale. Nevertheless, every nation has lessons worth sharing. I hope to better understand how long-term planning, investment in infrastructure, technological advancement, education, and institutional capacity contribute to China’s continued progress.
The Belt and Road Journalists Forum provides an ideal platform for such learning. Journalism serves as a bridge between societies, enabling people to understand one another beyond stereotypes and political narratives. In an era where misinformation spreads rapidly and trust in media is under pressure, journalists have an even greater responsibility to promote factual reporting, constructive dialogue, and cross-cultural understanding.
As a board member of the Editors Guild of Ethiopia, I also look forward to exchanging ideas with fellow journalists from across the world. The challenges facing journalism today—including artificial intelligence, digital transformation, media sustainability, fact-checking, and ethical reporting—are shared across continents. Our discussions can strengthen professional cooperation while contributing to more responsible global communication.
My first impression of China was that of a country determined to transform ambition into reality. My first impression of China today is that of a nation whose development experience has become increasingly relevant to global discussions about governance, innovation, connectivity, and sustainable development. While every country must pursue its own path according to its history and culture, meaningful exchanges allow us to learn from one another.
I arrive in China with curiosity rather than conclusions. I hope to observe, listen, ask questions, and engage openly with colleagues from around the world. Only through firsthand experience can journalists move beyond assumptions and contribute meaningfully to international understanding.
By the end of this journey, I expect my first impressions to evolve into deeper insights—not only about China’s governance and development, but also about the shared responsibilities that all nations carry in building a more peaceful, connected, and prosperous world.
*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.