Media360impact
BEIJING, China – A delegation of 19 journalists from seven African countries has commended China’s remarkable achievements in poverty reduction, rural development and China-Africa cooperation, while calling for stronger collaboration between African media organisations and Chinese institutions.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation during a farewell visit to Vice Minister Ma Hui of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC) on Tuesday, delegation leader Idehai Frederick described the 10-day media exchange programme as insightful and transformative.
The delegation, comprising journalists from Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Kenya and Ethiopia, thanked the Chinese government for its hospitality and openness throughout the study tour, which took participants from Ningxia to Beijing.
Frederick said the visit offered African journalists an opportunity to witness China’s development journey firsthand rather than relying on second-hand accounts.
According to him, one of the most significant experiences was observing China’s poverty alleviation programme in Ningxia, where agricultural initiatives such as goji berry farming have been transformed into sustainable sources of income through government support, technology and cooperative business models.
He noted that the visit demonstrated how focused public policies, accountability and long-term planning can improve the livelihoods of millions of people.
“The fact that China lifted more than 800 million people out of poverty is more than just a statistic. It represents an important lesson for countries across the Global South,” Frederick said.
He also highlighted seminars on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), saying they provided valuable insights into China’s governance approach and the expanding relationship between China and Africa.
According to him, China-Africa relations have grown beyond infrastructure and trade to include cooperation in media, culture, technology and people-to-people exchanges.
Frederick stressed that African journalists have a responsibility to report these developments with greater balance, context and accuracy.
“For a long time, many news reports about China in Africa were shaped largely by narratives from Western media. Today, we have had the opportunity to see many realities for ourselves,” he said.
He added that the delegation would return to their respective countries with renewed commitment to strengthening public understanding of China-Africa relations and promoting stories that encourage development cooperation.
The delegation also called for sustained media exchange programmes and stronger partnerships between Chinese institutions and African media organisations, saying such engagements would deepen mutual understanding and enhance professional collaboration.
Frederick expressed appreciation to the Communist Party of China, the International Department and all officials who facilitated the exchange programme.
He expressed optimism that the friendship between China and Africa, particularly within the media sector, would continue to grow stronger in the years ahead.
