China trains Liberian journalists to shape global media narratives.
About thirty (30) Liberian Journalists have completed a two-week study in China.
By Stephen G. Fellajuah
Changsha, China; August 15, 2025 – In a strategic effort to strengthen global media cooperation and build cross-cultural communication capacity, the People’s Republic of China has successfully concluded a two-week Seminar on Media Communication Capacity for 30 Liberian journalists and media professionals.
The training, held from August 1 to 14, 2025, in Changsha, Hunan Province, brought together experts from China’s media landscape and Liberian participants for a dynamic blend of professional development, institutional visits, and cultural exchange.
The seminar, sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce of China and organized by the Hunan International Business Vocational College, focused on equipping journalists with the tools and knowledge to navigate today’s evolving media environment.
Training sessions covered a wide array of topics, including localized storytelling and cross-cultural program planning in international communication, empowering short videos with new technologies, creative production and interactive dissemination, branding strategies for international communication by local media, and practical approaches to building a strong new media talent pool
These sessions were led by professionals from China’s media sector, offering valuable insights into both technological innovation and storytelling techniques.
As part of the program, the participants toured leading Chinese media organizations such as Changsha Online, Hunan Daily, Changsha Evening News, and Xiamen Straits Herald, gaining firsthand exposure to China’s media structures and digital transformation.
Beyond the training, the group took part in cultural experiences that offered deeper understanding of China’s regional identities. Visits to Orange Isle and Jinggang Ancient Town in Changsha, as well as Gulangyu Island and Laoyuanzi Folk Culture Park in Xiamen, gave participants a chance to experience the country’s rich cultural heritage.
The closing ceremony was held on August 14, 2025, at the Meyes International Hotel in Changsha City, where Chinese officials highlighted the program’s role in fostering media diplomacy and people-to-people exchange.
Ms. Fu Yunhui, Deputy Dean of the China-Aid Training Faculty at Hunan International Business Vocational College, speaking on behalf of the organizers, expressed her hope for enduring ties.
“These wonderful memories will build a bridge of communication between us and lay a solid foundation for future cooperation and development between China and Liberia in the field of media”, she noted.
She added, “China and Liberia deepen cooperation in the political, economic, and cultural fields, expanding the space for mutual benefit. May the friendship between the peoples of China and Liberia endure through the years and be passed on from generation to generation.”
Addressing the ceremony, Mr. Zhang Gang, Deputy Director of the Service Trade Division at the Department of Commerce of Hunan Province, emphasized the shared responsibility of the media in a rapidly changing world.
“In this era of surging information, the media serves not only as a watchtower for social progress but also as a bridge connecting hearts and minds.”
He continued, “Today, we gather here not only to discuss technological innovation and communication strategies, but also to jointly safeguard the authenticity of news and the public interest. This is the very foundation upon which the media stands, and a shared mission for media professionals from both China and Liberia alike.”
Looking for the future, Mr. Gang expressed hope that participants will share what they have seen, heard, and experienced during this visit to China and Hunan with their family, friends, and colleagues, and become friendly ambassadors for deepening cooperation between China and Liberia in the field of news and media, so that the fruits of collaboration may benefit even more people.
Speaking on behalf of the Liberian delegation, fellow Journalist Varney Shakeh Kamara, expressed sincere appreciation to the Government of the People’s Republic of China, the Chinese Embassy in Liberia, and the Hunan International Business & Vocational College for designing and delivering what he called a “transformative training.”
In a passionate message to his colleagues, Kamara emphasized, “Remember, the credibility of a journalist is like glass, once shattered, it’s hard to restore. Guard it with your life. Be accurate, be ethical, creative, be bold. Carry Liberia’s image like a banner, one you will not let fall. Our country needs voices that can tell its story with dignity and skill. Be that voice.” Editing by Jonathan Browne
