BEIJING, Two Malaysian journalists are among 94 participants from around the world selected to join the second series of the China International Press Center 2024 programme, which began on Monday and will run until Dec 15.

Organised by the China Public Diplomacy Association (CPDA) and managed by the China International Press Communication Centre (CIPCC), the programme aims to enhance global understanding of China by promoting collaboration between media organisations from 84 developing countries.

The two Malaysian participants are Marfika Adnan Haris Fadzilah, 33, from the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), and Muhammad Luqman Hakim Mahari, 24, from the New Straits Times newspaper.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the programme, CIPCC director Yu Lei noted that the programme, which was launched in 2014, has shown significant growth with the involvement of participants from various countries.

‘CPDA launched the China-Africa Press Centre in 2014, marking the first instance of practical cooperatio
n between Chinese media and those in developing countries by inviting African journalists to China,’ Yu Lei said.

“Between 2015 and 2018, we expanded this initiative, establishing the China-Asia Pacific Press Centre, the China-Latin American Pacific Centre, the China-Caribbean Pacific Centre, and the China-Arab States Press Centre. These centres were eventually consolidated into what is now known as the CIPCC,’ he said.

Countries participating in this year’s programme include Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Laos, Dominica, Panama, Honduras, Mexico, Brazil, Russia, Mongolia, Fiji and Pakistan.

Yu said that participants will be exposed to a range of activities covering six key areas – domestic and diplomatic programmes, journalism training and national affairs, cultural immersion experiences, visits within and outside Beijing, as well as practical training at major media agencies in China.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency