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Archives: Dispatches

All Lingua Sinica Dispatches

China Gives Journalists Tour of Xinjiang Exhibition During China-Central Asia Forum

On November 5, 2025, delegates including scores of unnamed journalists from Central Asia attended the 12th China-Central Asia Cooperation Forum in Xinjiang, where they were taken on a tour of an exhibition commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Among the participants was Jawad Ali (جواد علي) (乔一), a correspondent for Al Mayadeen TV in Lebanon, who reported from the event expressing interest in covering more Xinjiang news. This represents a typical example of China’s external propaganda strategy of inviting foreign journalists on state-organized, all-expenses-paid visits to Xinjiang—a region facing significant international scrutiny over human rights issues. These carefully curated press tours focus on issues Beijing regards as core national interests, aiming to generate favorable international coverage. Footage of the tour is available here.

Fourth China-Germany Media Dialogue Held in Beijing

On December 16, 2014, China and Germany held the Fourth China-Germany Media Dialogue in Beijing, bringing together nearly 40 representatives including officials, diplomats, and media professionals. Cai Mingzhao (蔡名照), director of China’s State Council Information Office (SCIO), which is the same office as the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Propaganda Department, highlighted positive results from media cooperation including regular dialogue, joint interviews, and joint program production. He called for enhanced communication in journalism, technology, and management, particularly exploring convergence between traditional and emerging media. German Foreign Ministry State Secretary Stephan Steinlein emphasized China’s increasingly important global role and stated that globalization requires deepened mutual understanding, especially in media. Participants discussed pragmatic cooperation, social media development, and media education.

Xi Jinping Article Published in Senegal Media

On July 20, 2018, Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) published a signed article titled “China and Senegal Stand United” in Senegal’s Le Soleil newspaper ahead of his state visit, promoting Belt and Road Initiative cooperation and deeper China-Africa ties. The piece emphasized shared development goals, infrastructure partnerships, and mutual support on international issues, while invoking “historical friendship” dating back to the diplomatic relations established in 1971, although those ties were suspended from 1996 to 2005 when Senegal recognized Taiwan. During Xi’s visit, Senegal became the first West African country to join China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Xi Jinping Op-Ed Runs in Senegalese Media

On May 7, 2025, Chinese President Xi Jinping published a signed article in Senegal’s Le Soleil newspaper ahead of his state visit to Russia for the 80th anniversary of the Great Patriotic War, the term Russia uses for World War II. Originally published by Xinhua, the piece called on the international community to preserve a “correct view” of World War II history and safeguard the post-war international order. Xi emphasized China and the Soviet Union’s “decisive contributions” to defeating fascism, defended the UN-centered international system, and advocated for “genuine multilateralism” based on dialogue rather than confrontation. The article warned that any attempt to “distort” wartime history or “tarnish” China’s contributions was “doomed to failure.”

Fifth China-Germany Media Dialogue Held in Berlin

On November 26, 2015, China and Germany held the Fifth China-Germany Media Dialogue in Berlin, co-hosted by China’s State Council Information Office (SCIO) and the German Federal Foreign Office. Senior Chinese propaganda official Jing Junhai (景俊海), deputy head of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Propaganda Department, which is the same office as the SCIO, urged German media to provide “comprehensive and objective” coverage of China, claiming this would reduce Germany’s “reporting deficit” and corresponding “cognitive deficit” about China. Jing called for media cooperation based on “equality, mutual trust, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation,” positioning the dialogue as supporting the China-Germany comprehensive strategic partnership. German State Secretary Steinlein emphasized building a platform for media exchange. The annual dialogue, established in 2011 as an intergovernmental media exchange mechanism, alternates between the two countries.

German Federal Foreign Office

The German Federal Foreign Office (Auswaertiges Amt) represents Germany’s interests to the world, promoting international exchange and offering protection to Germans abroad. Through offices in Berlin and Bonn and approximately 230 diplomatic missions worldwide, the ministry maintains Germany’s relations with other countries and international organizations. Its work extends beyond traditional government contacts to facilitate exchanges in business, culture, science, technology, environment, and development. Working closely with civil society partners including business associations, unions, and human rights organizations, the Foreign Office addresses global challenges including regional conflicts, terrorism, weapons proliferation, and human rights violations. Germany participates actively in international bodies including the Council of Europe, UN Security Council, G7, and European Union.

Antigua Broadcasting Service

The Antigua Broadcasting Service is the state-controlled broadcaster of Antigua and Barbuda, operating one radio station and one television channel. The service was officially organized in February 1956, with shortwave programming inaugurated in 1957 and radio broadcasts beginning in June 1962. In May 2024, China Media Group (中央廣播電視總台), the state broadcaster under the direct control of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Propaganda Department, donated video cameras and media equipment to ABS.

Bangladesh Newspaper Runs Exclusive Interview with China’s Ambassador

On October 27, 2023, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen (姚文) was interviewed by Bangladesh’s mainstream English-language newspaper The Daily Star. The interview, published on October 28, covered outcomes from the Third Belt and Road Initiative International Cooperation Summit Forum (第三届”一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛), which was held October 17-18, 2023. Yao promoted the forum’s “458 outcomes” and “$97.2 billion in commercial contracts,” alongside China’s announcement of 350 billion yuan ($48 billion) financing windows from development banks and 80 billion yuan ($11 billion) for the Silk Road Fund. The timing reflects Beijing’s coordinated media strategy of leveraging diplomatic events to secure favorable coverage in third-country outlets, using ambassadorial interviews as vehicles for disseminating state messaging.

Research and Training Institute

The Research and Training Institute (RTI) of China’s National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) is the largest training institution in China’s radio, television, online media, and audio-visual industry, serving both domestic and overseas professionals. Established in March 2018 as a ministry-level agency controlled by the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Propaganda Department, the NRTA succeeded the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television and maintains direct control over state broadcasters including China Central Television, China National Radio, and China Radio International. The RTI implements NRTA training programs and international media seminars, organizing sessions for media management, program producers, and technical professionals. In June 2022, the NRTA and Ministry of Culture and Tourism issued a code of conduct for online content creators that banned material “weakening, distorting, or denying the leadership of the CCP.”