BY ALI JANETT LIZARDI MARIN
President of the Regional Council of El Loa / Director, College of Journalists of Chile, Chile
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Looking Across the Pacific
For a journalist writing from Chile — a nation stretched along the southwestern rim of South America, at the end of the world, separated from China by the vast expanse of the wonderful Pacific Ocean — China has represented both a land of ancient wisdom and a key engine of modern global dynamic change. Although this geographical distance is significant, our shared contemporary history and economic ties have steadily built bridges of mutual understanding. Looking towards my upcoming journey to Jiangsu for the 2026 Belt and Road Journalists Forum, my very initial impressions are shaped by a deep fascination with how a society seamlessly blends thousands of years of cultural heritage with cutting-edge technological innovation and global connectivity.
As a journalist, observing China from afar, offers a unique perspective on global governance. In an era marked by rapid media transformation, economic shifts, and complex international challenges, China’s vision of connectivity through initiatives like the Belt and Road Network offers a compelling framework for dialogue, integration, and sustainable progress.
Innovation and Modernization Rooted in Tradition
One of the most striking impressions of modern China is its remarkable trajectory of industrial, technological, and ecological evolution. The itinerary in Jiangsu — spanning economic innovation, artificial intelligence, technological advancement, and ecological conservation — reflects a comprehensive approach to modernization. China’s leadership in key forward-looking industries, from renewable energy and green technologies to artificial intelligence and smart urban planning, demonstrates that economic development can be pursued in alignment with environmental sustainability, a very good example Chile must follow.
For South America, and all their countries — many of them actively navigating its own transition toward renewable energy, green mining, and digital integration — China’s experience serves as a vital case study. The ability to modernize rapidly while preserving rich cultural roots and prioritizing ecological restoration provides valuable insights into how developing and emerging economies can achieve long-term, balanced growth.
Dialogue Among Civilizations and Global South Cooperation
In today’s increasingly interconnected yet polarized geopolitical landscape, the voice and solidarity of the Global South have become increasingly vital. Global leadership can no longer be a monologue or a unidirectional framework; it requires genuine multipolarity, mutual respect, and inclusive dialogue among diverse civilizations. China’s emphasis on fostering cooperation among Global South nations represents a constructive pillar for international governance. As journalists, our responsibility is not merely to report facts, but to build cultural bridges and enable authentic understanding between distinct societies. The initiative to establish an “International Home of Journalists” and host platforms like the Belt and Road Journalists Forum creates essential spaces where media professionals from Latin America, Asia, Africa, and beyond can share perspectives, counter disinformation through rigorous fact-checking, and develop independent, balanced narratives that reflect the realities of our nations.
Media Transformation and Ethical Journalism in the Digital Era
The theme of this year’s forum—”Convergence and Connectivity, Innovation and Progress: Media Transformation Amid Global Changes”—resonates profoundly with the current state of journalism worldwide in general, and Chilean in particular. The emergence of artificial intelligence, algorithmic news distribution, and rapid digital convergence presents both unprecedented opportunities and critical ethical challenges for newsrooms across the globe.
Navigating this transformation requires media professionals to harness AI for efficiency and deep research while steadfastly upholding fundamental journalistic ethics: truth, accuracy, verification, and human empathy. Engaging with leading scholars and international peers at the School of Journalism and Communication at Nanjing University provides a crucial opportunity to explore how emerging technologies can serve public interest reporting, enhance accuracy, and strengthen global media cooperation rather than deepening digital divides.
Anticipating Firsthand Discovery
As I prepare to travel from Chile to Jiangsu—from the historic capital of Nanjing to its dynamic innovation hubs—my first impression of China is one of vitality, vision, and transformative global engagement. I look forward to moving beyond academic observations and distant headlines to experience China’s socio-economic advancements, cultural richness, and governance practices firsthand, as good examples of what Chilean journalists must follow.
This journey represents not only an opportunity for professional growth through the inaugural Global South Journalists Workshop, but also a chance to contribute to a global journalistic network dedicated to truth, mutual respect, and meaningful cross-cultural dialogue.
*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.