The Asia-Pacific Media Forum will open in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, on September 5, as the country hosts a series of events under the 2026 APEC "China Year."
Prior to the forum, participating guests visited cities in Guangdong, including Guangzhou, Foshan, Dongguan, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Zhongshan.
"Many people think you're going to be living dangerously if you come to China, especially if you're a journalist," said John Wallace, Director of the Asia Pacific Journalism Center.
This is a misunderstanding about China that persists for long.
"For many Australians who are less familiar with China, they only know about it through political or trade news. So they have an image of China as a cold, stern or distant place, which I don't think is true at all," said Mackenzie Lang, CEO of the Australia-China Youth Association.
Lang suggested that people in the West should come and see for themselves. "Please follow the many fine journalists we've met here today, or the influencers. Because I think they're showing not just the real China, but also its many different sides."
"It's been interesting to see American students: as they learn more about China, they realize that what is often represented isn't necessarily true," said Charles Stephen Farr, Executive Director, Secretariat of the Alliance of Guangzhou International Sister-City Universities.
Reporters: Li Fangwang, Guo Zedong
Script: Yuan Zixiang
