Story by Jonathan Marerwa in Beijing
Africa and China have similar historical situations and face the same developmental issues and as such, there is a need to enhance mutual communication among people of the two blocs.
The Head and Editor-in-chief of the Public Diplomacy Network, Liu Chinyang, said this while speaking during the recently held 2024 Public Diplomacy Persons Awards Gala held in Beijing.
Two Zimbabwean media practitioners based in China, Bridget Mutambirwa and Melody Zekey Pand were recognised for their efforts thus becoming the first from Africa to receive the awards.
The Public Diplomacy Persons Award honours the person who has made positive contributions to promoting friendship and co-operation among different nations and cultures.
Mr Liu said Mutambirwa is a distinguished media practitioner celebrated for her outstanding contribution to the communications field and has been very influential in reporting on China-Africa relations stories.
He added that her journey as a journalist has not only earned her well deserved recognition but also positioned her as a China-Africa bridge builder.
Mr Liu noted that Pand, who is a media personality and TV presenter, is fostering China-Africa relations through her works which also include sports which she is using as a medium of community interactions and international exchanges.
Mr Liu revealed that Mutambirwa and Pand’s hard work has enabled more African and foreign friends to understand China and has also helped in cementing China-Africa relations.
Mr Liu, who has also worked in the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, believes mutual communication among the peoples of China and Africa is crucial as it enables more ordinary Chinese and African people to understand and learn from each other.
Meanwhile, Mr Liu has bemoaned the low level of tourism between China and Africa, saying compared to other countries, the proportion of Chinese tourists who visit Africa needs to improve.
He added that many Africans have also not had the opportunity to visit China and personally experience the actual situation on the ground.
Mr Liu said it is disheartening that sometimes China and Africa learn about each other through Western media reports that will be pushing certain agendas.
He, however, said promoting direct communication between the peoples of both sides is one of the objectives of the Public Diplomacy Persons Awards initiatives.
