政府新闻
国际记者发现上海的城市复兴 2025-11-09
International journalists learn about China's internet giant Tencent during a guided tour.
A delegation of 91 journalists from 85 countries concluded a two-day tour of Shanghai on Nov 4, gaining a firsthand look at the city's rapid technological advancement, innovative governance, and distinctive approach to urban development.
The visit, organized as part of a broader program scheduled from Nov 2 to 6 and connected to the upcoming China International Import Expo, which will begin on Nov 5, offered these media professionals an opportunity to experience the real China beyond the headlines.
The journalists visited sites including Tencent's East China headquarters and the Meituan Exhibition Center to witness the nation's burgeoning tech scene.
At Tencent, journalists learned about the firm's broad influence in areas such as digital payment systems and gaming. At Meituan, they gained insight into the company's diverse innovations, observing how it integrates digital technology with real-world applications.
"In the media, you cannot find the true pulse and you cannot find the true face," said Irfan Ashraf, a TV journalist from Pakistan. "But when you are physically in China, you will interact with people, you will see the lectures, you will visit a few things, so you will definitely understand what China is."
He added that he was impressed by China's "beautiful infrastructure, Chinese culture, Chinese heritage, Chinese ancient architecture, Chinese innovation, Chinese modernization, and Chinese poverty alleviation."
Ashraf emphasized the hospitality he experienced and said he would share the "winning story of China" upon his return home.
The tour also included the Shanghai People's City Practice Exhibition Hall, which showcases the city's urban planning philosophy.
Amira El-Sherif, a journalist from Egypt, said the exhibition embodied China's philosophy of "placing people at the center of development".
El-Sherif said that "Shanghai serves as a vivid model for implementing the concept of the people's city through its comprehensive urban, cultural, and technological renaissance."
The delegation visits the Meituan Exhibition Center in Shanghai on Nov 3, 2025.
She emphasized the balance between modernity and the preservation of Chinese cultural identity.
The delegation also visited the Gubei Civic Center, a community hub offering a range of services to local residents, and the Memorial Hall of the Site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China, a historical landmark. These visits offered a glimpse into the city's social fabric and its historical roots.
Sachithra Perera Juwanpullange, a journalist from Sri Lanka, was particularly impressed by the application of technology in agriculture.
"From an agricultural perspective, it is really important that the farmers know what to grow and how to grow," he said, noting that the technologies he observed could help farmers optimize their yields and secure better prices. He plans to share his observations with government officials when he returns home.
Beyond the sites visited, the trip also fostered cross-cultural exchange among the journalists themselves.
Juwanpullange said that he was able to "share a lot of things with them from regional countries and many other countries."
He added, "My message is this shared prosperity is very important because in the future China will become a great friend for the entire world because China and its government do not just do things for themselves, they share things with others, even in this program."
For Yesenia Peredo Mendoza, a journalist from Bolivia, the Shanghai visit marked her first trip to China.
"It's a beautiful city, so clean and orderly, so comfortable to go around the city," she said, adding that she was impressed by the technologies and architecture.
Mendoza also expressed her anticipation for CIIE, hoping that Latin American countries could expand their trade opportunities with China.
"It's a great opportunity to expand the companies of Latin America, and have meetings, and a great opportunity to export some products of Latin America to China and receive some technologies China has."
The journalists were also scheduled to tour Baosteel Group, a leading steel manufacturer, providing insight into China's industrial strength and technological advancement in the manufacturing sector.
As the journalists prepare to attend CIIE, they carry with them a deeper understanding of China's multifaceted development, its commitment to its people, and its potential as a global partner.
Source: City News Service
