BEIJING: Two Malaysian journalists are among 94 international participants in the China International Press Communication Centre (CIPCC) programme here.
The programme, an initiative of the China Public Diplomacy Association (CPDA), is designed to strengthen global understanding of China by fostering collaboration between media organisations from developing countries.
This year's participants include representatives Muhammad Luqman Hakim Mahari from the New Straits Times and Marfika Adnan Haris Fadzilah of Bernama.
CIPCC director Yu Lei, in his opening remarks, said the programme, which was first launched in 2014, saw significant growth with a broader range of participants.
He said CPDA launched the China-Africa Press Centre in 2014, marking the first instance of practical cooperation between Chinese media and those in developing countries by inviting African journalists to China.
"Between 2015 and 2018, we expanded this initiative, establishing the China Asia-Pacific Press Centre, the China Latin American Pacific Centre, the China Caribbean Pacific Centre and the China-Arab States Press Centre.
"These centres were eventually consolidated into what is now known as the CIPCC."
Yu Lei further detailed the programme's structure, noting that over the next four months, participating journalists will engage in a range of critical activities across six main areas.
These include participation in major domestic and diplomatic events, national affairs and journalism training, cultural immersion experiences, tours within and outside the capital here, and internships at prominent Chinese media outlets.