For Guyanese editor Samuel Sukhnandan, the recent China International Press Communication Centre (CIPCC) programme provided an opportunity that will have an impact on his writing as it relates to China.
In brief remarks at the Chinese Embassy yesterday, Ambassador Guo Haiyan noted that news coverage of China is sometimes misleading and CIPCC is a programme that simply ensures that articles on China are balanced.
According to Sukhnandan, the programme gave him a better understanding of China and its politics and he is glad to have been provided the opportunity to make connections with members of the Chinese Press. This he says would help prevent the publishing of any misleading articles as he would easily be able to contact locals on the ground to distinguish fact from fiction, resulting in balanced news coverage on his part.
Sukhnandan along with the News Room Editor Fareeza Haniff were selected to participate in the China-Latin America & the Caribbean (LAC) Press Centre 2022 programme that aims to increase and bolster journalists’ knowledge and understanding of China.
The programme lasted five months and included numerous engagements with Chinese officials, news outlets and locals across the country. According to Sukhnandan, the programme was the most comprehensive one he has ever been a part of and his understanding of the country and its politics increased immensely.
Sukhnandan gave brief highlights of his time in China. He said, he along with Haniff were able to immerse themselves in the Chinese culture as well as share the Guyanese culture with other journalists from around the world as well the locals they interacted with.
Both editors have produced several news articles during their time in China. According to Sukhnandan, they interacted with and interviewed several Chinese officials as well as officials from Chinese companies like Huawei and Sinovac.
During the time that Sukhnandan and Haniff were in China, a series of protests against COVID-19 restrictions were ongoing. Asked by Stabroek News whether these protests had been covered, he said that while he was not in proximity to one, the protests were very peaceful. He noted that there are many newsworthy activities occurring in China that do not get reported on. Unprecedented protests in Chinese cities against COVID curbs were believed to be responsible for the easing of measures in recent days.
Overall, Sukhnandan said the experience was quite a good one. They were afforded the opportunity to study at two top Chinese universities and even though COVID-19 restrictions were in place at that time, they were able to travel anywhere they wished.
