Chongqing — As part of the Belt and Road Journalists Station – Discover Chongqing Tour, a delegation of international media professionals participated in a round table discussion following a three-day exploration of the southwestern Chinese municipality.
The visiting journalists, representing leading media outlets from Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, shared their impressions of Chongqing’s rapid modernization, cultural depth, and potential for expanded media collaboration. The dialogue took place after an intensive itinerary that included visits to the Chongqing International Logistics Hub Park, the Memorial Site of the Bombing of Chongqing, Shibati Scenic Spot, Nanshan Botanical Garden, Xiahao Lane, and the SERES Super Factory in Liangjiang New Area.
Kirsanava Sviatlana, deputy editor-in-chief of "Seven Days" under the Belarusian Telegraph Agency (BelTA), was struck by the city’s magnitude.
"Chongqing is the size of two of Belarus’ largest regions combined, yet its population is three times larger," she noted. "When I watched a short film about Chongqing's innovations, I kept asking the translator, 'Is this really Chongqing?' The skyscrapers, the Yangtze River, the mountains, and waterfalls were all so unexpected."
Sviatlana praised the city's fusion of natural beauty and urban development. "I was impressed by the scale and modernity," she said, adding that China’s electric vehicle advancements were equally remarkable. "Robots assist humans rather than replace them. Smart cars adapt to users. They’re clean, beautiful, and ecological. It felt like the car was a living organism."
Duisenova Sandugash, a reporter from ORDA, a media portal in Kazakhstan, highlighted the integration of ancient civilization and new technology. "I was amazed by the harmony between old culture and cutting-edge innovation. The 20,000 bridges in Chongqing alone are a testament to human ingenuity."
She shared how her social media coverage of the trip generated 4.1 million views on Instagram and over 1,600 new followers in just a few days. “People kept asking how to visit, where to stay, and who to contact. That’s trust. And in journalism, trust is everything.”
As a blogger and journalist since 1996, Duisenova emphasized the rising role of independent media voices in building cultural bridges. “Many of us in Kazakhstan want to open China, especially Chongqing, to our readers,” she said. “With the current visa-free regime, we can easily organize press tours, media exchanges, and training visits.”
Khonnazarov Gayrat Ergashevich, Director of International News at the Uzbekistan National News Agency (UzA), highlighted the importance of ongoing partnerships with Chinese media. “Our main partner is Xinhua, and during this press tour, we’ve also established links with China Daily,” he said. “We hope to launch official cooperation with the Western China International Communication Organization soon.”
The round table concluded with a discussion on future collaboration formats, including joint reporting projects, multimedia initiatives, and student-led cultural exchanges. Sviatlana proposed using online formats to connect Chinese students studying in Belarus with local media, enabling cross-cultural storytelling from multiple perspectives.
“The organizers did an excellent job designing this program,” she said. “I already see opportunities to work with your communication center remotely.”
The Discover Chongqing Tour served not only as a window into China’s evolving landscape but also as a platform to cultivate enduring friendships and professional cooperation among media from across the Belt and Road region.