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2,300 delegates from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) met in Beijing to decide on the renewal of the leadership of the state apparatus. An event behind closed doors, but which attracts the attention of the whole world, knowing that the Chinese number one Xi Jinping intends to be reappointed for an unprecedented third term. And among the foreign media represented, African journalists invited by the Chinese government.
From our correspondent in Beijing,
The China International Press Communication Center invited 86 journalists from developing countries to this 20th Congress, including 18 from Africa. An accelerated discovery training of “China of zero Covid”, the sanitary measures being at the maximum for this quinquennial meeting of the Chinese Party-state. Tested, scanned, isolated, some come out visibly impressed.
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If the drastic health policy implemented by Beijing since the start of the pandemic is tiring part of the population, it was defended by President Xi at the opening of Congress and sounds in the speeches, like a “ victoire of the party on the virus.
Change the image of the Communist Party
China intends to deepen its cooperation with developing countries through media cooperation programs, Beijing said this summer. It is a question of presenting to the world the image of a China ” open, progressive, democratic “. A goal on which the united front of the Chinese Communist Party is also working. As part of the so-called policy borrowing a boat to go on the ocean “, the communist regime has set up strategic partnerships with foreign newspapers, television and radio stations, to provide them with free content.
Changing the image of China and above all the image of the communist party which has collapsed in recent years in Western countries. Unable to convince the West, Beijing turned to the South. It’s necessary ” improve the perception and friendliness of people from developing countries towards China “, recently assured Wu Hailong, president of the Public Association of Chinese Diplomacy, which oversees the supervision of trainees.
Global initiative towards the countries of the South
The so-called initiative global south between China and developing countries aims to develop research capacities on China in the southern hemisphere and to connect institutions, media, journalists and researchers producing content on the Middle Kingdom.
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While waiting for the congress, guests from Africa, the Middle East, South America and Southeast Asia had a great time: presentation of traditional Chinese culture, new technologies and visit historical sites.
peace and stability
The training program has been reduced to six months this year due to travel health restrictions. But for the rest, the conditions are identical. Guest journalists are housed in a diplomatic residence complex inside the Second Ring Road, the heart of the Chinese capital. An allowance is provided for living expenses, even if it is quickly squandered in the capital of the second largest economy in the world, notes a participant. ” We have things in common with the Chineseconfides yet another trainee after a conference on food safety. Peace and stability are very important issues for us “, he adds, while the two key words are used in almost all the interventions of Chinese diplomacy.
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These invitations are also an opportunity for China to offer itself exhaustive coverage of the great mass of the Chinese Communist Party in Beijing. ” I recommended your video », launches a chaperone of the program, a nod to the support addressed to an intern from the Middle East, while Mexican television records at the end of a table in the lobby a sequence on the front pages of local newspapers found at the concierge and entirely dedicated to the Chinese President. ” It’s interesting, but I feel like the questions are sent ahead of time remarks a participant, before leaving the hotel.