Kenyan journalist among 50 attending four-month Media Exchange Programme in China

A Kenyan journalist is among a group of 50 scribes from across 100 countries attending the 11^th China International Media Exchange Programme.

Organised by China International Press Communication Center (CIPCC) the 2025 first-half programme kicked off this week in Beijing.

The four-and-a-half-month program aims to provide a comprehensive view of China's socio-economic landscape with journalists from more than 100 countries across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.

This year’s programme aims to provide a unique platform for cultural immersion, experience exchange, and a deeper understanding of China’s socio-economic and political landscape.

The four-and-a-half-month programme, organized by the CIPCC with support from the China Public Diplomacy Association (CPDA), offers journalists from four continents the opportunity to gain a global perspective on China.

At the opening ceremony, CIPCC Director Yu Lei and other staff members on Thursday welcomed the visiting media representatives, highlighting the programme’s role in fostering mutual understanding between China and the international community.

Participants will engage in cultural immersion, visit key historical and cultural sites such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, and interact with leading Chinese companies, academics, and experts.

The programme includes presentations on China's socio-economic development, diplomacy, culture, science, and technology. Journalists will gain insights into major enterprises, think tanks, media organizations, and government departments.

This year’s cohort will have the opportunity to cover major events in China, including the annual “Two Sessions,” a key political and economic event that sets the country’s policy direction and economic targets.

Notably, the participants will have the opportunity to cover China's annual "two sessions," the meetings of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, 1 scheduled to begin in early March.  

The third session of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) and the third session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) will commence on March 5 and March 4, respectively.

This year's "two sessions," marking the final year of China's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), have attracted over 3,000 registered journalists, including more than 1,000 foreign reporters.

Since its establishment, the CIPCC has evolved from a regional press center to a global hub for media exchange. Over the past decade, more than 700 journalists from 140 countries have participated in the programme.

In addition to cultural and political immersion, the programme offers training in journalism and internships with Chinese media organizations.

The participants will attend lectures on China’s socio-economic development, diplomacy, and technological advancements, and engage in symposiums with government departments, think tanks, and media organizations. Visits to selected provinces will further enrich their understanding of China’s diverse regions and development strategies.

The CIPCC will host a series of press conferences and events, with government officials addressing key domestic and international issues.

The programme’s focus on cultural exchange, access to key events, and engagement with Chinese institutions aims to provide journalists with a nuanced perspective on China's development trajectory and its growing global influence.

By providing access to lectures, training, and internships in Chinese media, the CIPCC seeks to enhance journalists' understanding of China's complex political and economic systems.

The programme also facilitates visits to selected provinces, offering participants a broader understanding of China's diverse regional development.

This initiative underscores China's commitment to fostering mutual understanding and cooperation through media engagement.