The 2019 China Australia Journalist Exchange gave five Australian journalists first-hand insights into the economic relationship between China and Australia and also into how China is dealing with environmental challenges.
Through industry field trips and meetings in Shanghai, Qingdao and Beijing, the journalists explored developments in clean energy technology and China’s role in international efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
Other discussions with think tanks and government agencies allowed the group to study the fall-out from US-China trade tensions and the progress of China’s multi-billion-dollar Belt and Road initiative.
The China Australia Journalist Exchange was established in 2013 by the Asia Pacific Journalism Centre and the All-China Journalists Association to boost newsroom capacity to report the other country, and increase public understanding of the other country and their relationship.
The 2019 exchange was run in collaboration with the Melbourne Press Club. The group was led by the club’s CEO Mark Baker, a former Fairfax editor and China correspondent.
“The 2019 China Australia Journalism Exchange was an outstanding success, thanks to the generous support of the Australian Embassy in Beijing and the All China Journalists Association,” Baker said.
“At this time of heightened concern and debate about the state of the bilateral relationship, it is more important than ever that Australian journalists have the opportunity to experience travelling and reporting in China without restrictions,” Baker said.
“The Australia China Journalist Exchange was an incredible experience. I would recommend it to any journalist interested in broadening their horizons, learning about China and the relationship between our two countries. It’s an extremely worthwhile trip.”
“This experience will be relevant virtually every day at work, given the primacy of China in the main areas I write about: foreign policy and national security; soft power and foreign interference; economics, trade and business; climate change and environmental issues; immigration and culture. The exchange opens doors to a civilisation Australians have little direct contact with but that is fast shaping our economy, culture, environment and security.”
“Although we travelled to China at a somewhat politically tense time, the trip gave me a depth of understanding of how the two nations operate, both separately and together … It’s informed my writing no end.“
Tom Dusevic, chief leader writer, The Australian
James Fernyhough, reporter, The Australian Financial Review
Matilda Marozzi, ABC Radio Melbourne producer and journalist
Sarah Steger, journalist, The West Australian
Madeleine Stuchbery, reporter and podcast producer, The Weekly Times
James Fernyhough, ‘China slowdown threatens Paris climate goals’, The Australian Financial Review
James Fernyhough, ‘Chinese car giant slams electric car black hole’, The Australian Financial Review
Madeleine Stuchbery, ‘Wharfies out as China goes hi-tech’, The Weekly Times
The China Australia Journalist Exchange was established in 2013 by the Asia Pacific Journalism Centre and the All-China Journalists Association to improve the capacity of journalists in each country to cover the increasingly complex bilateral relationship.
This year’s China visit is being run in collaboration with the Melbourne Press Club. Financial support was provided by the Australian Embassy in Beijing.
About 50 journalists have participated since the first exchange. Australian fellows of the program have come from all states and all media platforms.
The program aims to improve news organisation capacity to cover the other country, and generally to broaden public understanding of the two countries and their relationship.
Journalists are encouraged to report on their experience and develop strategic contacts for future reporting.
Queries: admin@melbournepressclub.com, 03 9614 2779
The 2019 program was supported by: