The official visit, taking place from May 6 to 12, 2025, includes stops in Beijing and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
Organised and facilitated by ACJA, the initiative is designed to provide participating journalists with first-hand experience of China’s media institutions, cultural heritage, and development efforts, while also fostering dialogue around the evolving roles and responsibilities of the press in both countries.
During the first leg of the visit in Beijing, the delegation engaged in an in-depth meeting with Director Chen Tao of ACJA. The discussions focused on opportunities for collaborative reporting, media training, and knowledge-sharing between Gambian and Chinese journalists.
Director Chen emphasised ACJA’s commitment to building stronger ties with journalists from developing countries, noting that such exchanges are part of China’s broader effort to support South-South cooperation and inclusive international journalism.
The exchange provided a platform for the Gambian journalists to share insights about the media landscape in The Gambia, as well as to learn about the role and operations of ACJA in facilitating international media relations.
“This visit is not just about observing. It is about connecting, understanding, and building bridges between our two media communities,” said Director Chen. He underscored the importance of portraying balanced and accurate narratives in international media and encouraged open dialogue between journalists from different cultural and political backgrounds.
Director Chen Tao emphasized ACJA’s commitment to supporting international media partnerships and praised the openness and curiosity displayed by the Gambian participants.
The Gambian delegation expressed appreciation for the warm welcome and shared insights into the media landscape in The Gambia, including the challenges of press freedom, capacity building, and the evolving digital media environment.
The head of delegation, Deputy Director Ebrima A. Njie of the Gambia Information Services, highlighted the importance of training opportunities, joint reporting initiatives, and platforms for experience exchange, particularly in areas such as development journalism, media regulation, and crisis reporting.
The programme also includes visits to major Chinese media outlets and cultural landmarks, allowing delegates to observe the country’s development policies and multicultural diversity in practice.
In Xinjiang, the journalists were expected to tour media institutions, development projects, and interact with local communities to better understand the region’s economic and social transformation.
This engagement reflects a growing trend of international media diplomacy, where countries like China are opening up more opportunities for foreign journalists to gain first-hand knowledge and experience. It also aligns with The Gambia’s interest in expanding its global media footprint and enhancing the professional growth of its journalists through international exposure.
The All-China Journalists Association, which serves as the national professional body for journalists in China, plays a key role in facilitating such international media exchanges. It regularly hosts journalists from across Africa, Asia, and Latin America as part of China’s Belt and Road media initiatives and other bilateral cooperation mechanisms.
The visit marks a significant milestone in China–Gambia media relations and opens the door for future partnerships that could include joint reporting projects, exchange programmes, and capacity-building opportunities for journalists from both nations.
As the week-long visit continues, both sides have expressed optimism that the relationship would grow stronger, yielding tangible outcomes that benefit not only the media sectors but also the broader development agenda of both countries.
