Better Media Communication and Exchange for Better China-EU Relations

Respected President Calame, Secretary General Stahl, Friends from the Chinese and European media,

I’m pleased to have this opportunity to discuss with you the role of media in China-EU relations. I thank China-Europa Forum for providing us such a good occasion.

Dear Friends,

Media exchange between China and Europe is a century-old story. In 1897, George Ernest Morrison became the Times’ resident correspondent in Beijing. In the following sixteen years, he wrote many articles for the newspaper, including 71 reports during the six months when China’s Manchurian feudal reign was toppled and a nationalist republic was founded. He told the world what was going on in China. He blamed the western missionary for lack of respect to the local community, which he attributed to the rise of the xenophobic Boxers Movement. He prompted the disclosure of a humiliating draft treaty that the Japanese was trying to enforce on China, which aroused righteous international concerns. He became such a celebrity in Beijing that today’s most famous shopping street of the city- the Wangfujing street, was then called the Morrison Street. More than a hundred years later, there are many more Morrisons in China today. Over 300 correspondents representing 169 media organizations from 25 European countries are now based in China. And they are sending out thousands of reports every day. The Chinese media has also more than 100 representatives across Europe. This shows that our media exchange has been expanding significantly.

Media and news people left indelible marks in the history of China-EU relations. They have played an irreplaceable role in promoting our understandings and friendship. Oriana Fallaci, a legendary Italian lady, interviewed Mr. Deng Xiaoping in 1980 and made the world aware of China’s fledgling reform and opening-up policy. Financial Times recently had an intensive interview with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, who explained China’s effort to boost confidence, maintain economic growth and take part in the world’s rescue effort in great details. Days ago, President Hu Jintao’s trip to the London G20 summit was well covered by European media. Today in China, Europe is always present on newspapers, TV channels and internet. The electrical signals and cyber bytes brick up a bridge of information and understanding that links up China and Europe.

However, it is regrettable that some of the China reports from the western media are not comprehensive, objective or fair enough, which lead to some misunderstanding or biased views on China, and are to the detriment of the good relations between China and EU built over many years of joint efforts. If Europe’s focus on China is calibrated precisely, it does no good to the building of our understanding and trust or the upbringing of our healthy and stable relationship. Why the Chinese and Western media act so differently on reporting some issues concerning China? Why such reporting had such strong social repercussions? And why, in the end, the Chinese don’t recognise the China as described and defined by the western media?

The reasons are manifold. First of all, as I believe, there is still lack of understanding about China among the Europeans, among the media workers as well. In 2008, about 6 million Europeans visited China. Put them into the 500 million people in all EU countries, I see only a very small proportion of the population really know the latest development in China. And among the 6 million who were visiting China, many stayed in Beijing, Shanghai or other big cities. Some of them would go sightseeing along the tourist routes. But few would go into the hinterland or the countryside, to explore the complexity and diversity of China and the challenges it is facing. The insufficient exposure leads to incomplete knowledge and fragmented impressions, so most Europeans just don't’ know china well. Nor do most editors working at the media headquarters. I talked with a few friends from the western media who were working in China. They told me that, living in the country, they would give a balanced description and analysis of what happened there, but their reports were constantly modified by the editors at home office and turned out to be very critical about China. They say that the editors don’t believe that something could happen in China because they haven’t seen it or simply don’t want to believe it happens.

Secondly, many European media report China on the basis of fixed images and prejudgement. China and Europe are so different in history, culture, economic development, social and political system. Surely we’ll have different views and reactions to certain issues. But often the European media would judge China and report China on the ground of Europe’s values, culture, social models and level of development. For instance, before the Beijing Olympics, some western media berated the Beijing municipal government for violating rights of the residents on traffic, housing, business and civic management during the preparation for the games. But when the reporters went to Beijing to cover the Olympics and interviewed the residents in person, they were moved by the pride that people in Beijing had for being the host to the Games as well as the athletes and guests from around the world. They would never complain about the inconvenience caused by some temporary rulings. They were willing to sacrifice for the well-beings of the guests, which is a time-honoured tradition of the Chinese people.

Thirdly, I have to point out that one of the important reasons is that some western media reprimands China on unfounded basis and by distorted facts. In the west, media is revered as the Fourth Power, and the correspondents King without a Crown. They serve the social watchdog. But on many issues concerning China, some western media have nurtured a “systemic bias of the mass media”, a definition given by the American scholar Noam Chomsky. They kept making patronizing comments and unfounded criticisms on China. In some extreme cases, they even abandon the fundamental principles of objectivity and fairness and violate the professional ethics, when they patch up a piece of news using untested or even fabricated information, or degrading the intellectual news commentary down to irrational bashing and smearing. I still remember clearly how a German TV, after last year’s Lhasa event, took a photo of Nepalese Police arresting demonstrators and reported it as the Chinese army cracking down the Tibetans. A German newspaper subtitled a picture as the Chinese Police beating and capturing a protester, while in fact the police was saving the man from a violent attack. A French news agency did a little trimming to a photo and showed the world that an armoured vehicle was rushing towards innocent by-passers. What was cut out is a group of thugs throwing stones at the vehicle. The on-site reports by Xinhua, CCTV and James Miles from the Economist were neglected and had no effect at all on the continuing barrage of criticism against the Chinese government. The CNN anchor Jack Cafferty went too far by employing derogatory vocabulary in commenting the Chinese. The worldwide condemnation his mischief had stirred among the ethnic Chinese forced CNN to issue a public apology.

Fourthly, the European media has not fully recognized the power of influence their reporting has on China-EU relations. China is still not experienced enough to present itself to the Europeans in the fullest capacity. We have only the non-speaking made-in-china products and a few cultural events. Most Europeans get to know China through the European media. Therefore, the pen, the lens and the keyboard in reporters’ hands carry special weight. They are more than reporting gadgets. What they produce will have a strong influence on the views of governments, enterprises, societies and the general public about China. They are sculpting the image of China and shaping the public opinion on China-EU relationship. They are strong enough to move the trajectory of our relationship in this volatile era. I don’t think that the European media and reporters are fully aware of such gravity their profession has. The past year has seen China grow in economy, social welfare, living standard, democracy and the rule of law. There were successful Olympics and ASEM summit. China was actively involved in international affairs with increased effort in mediation and consultations, promoting proper addressing of hot issues in connection with DPRK and Iran and meeting the global challenges such as energy safety and climate change. China was stepping up its mutually-beneficial cooperation with the rest of the world, and its trade with the EU topped 400 billion USD for the first time in history. The Chinese people are happy about and proud of the country’s achievements, which also benefited the world. But BBC did an opinion survey last February, saying that the percentage of people regarding China as positive influence sloping down from 45% to 39%. This result runs counter to actual development. The world did not react accordingly to China’s growth because China is not presented in the media with proportional merit. The western media, who has the most powerful opinion tools today, should regurgitate this paradoxical phenomenon.

Dear friends from the media,

China-EU relationship is one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world. At present, the once-in-a-century financial crisis is taking its toll on world economies, including China and Europe, and the international political and economic pattern is undergoing profound and complex changes. In face of the global economic downturn and trade contraction, China and the EU should more than ever broaden and deepen cooperation, so as to meet the challenges hand in hand. China and the EU are two forces of global and rising significance. Our relationship carries global and strategic weight. Our cooperation contributes to global economy and wellbeings of the international community. Therefore, it is in the global interest, in addition to the bilateral, that our relationship stays healthy and stable. I believe this is a consensus shared by people in all circles including the media, and we also share a common aspiration of pushing our relationship forward.

Jean Monnet, chief architect of European Unity once said, “Mutual understanding is always difficult; but once suspicion has been eliminated, a major obstacle is removed.” China holds the view firmly that the growth of Europe serves China’s interest and benefits world peace and prosperity. And I believe that those Europeans with a vision will evaluate China in the same way. This constitutes a mutual trust that is of particular value under current circumstances. I sincerely hope that against such background, the Chinese and European media will play a positive and constructive role in promoting our relations, by enhancing understanding, friendship and confidence between the peoples, advocating bilateral economic cooperation and trade, supporting cultural exchanges and our collaboration in international affairs, and more importantly, facilitating communications and understanding on equal footings on issues we disagree and dispute, and jointly searching for proper solutions.

To make this happen, I think the following four elements should be given special attention: responsibility, objectivity, credibility and communication.

Our media and correspondents shall be more aware of their responsibility for promoting China-EU relations. They have major influence on the public opinion, on policy and on the future of our relations, and therefore are entitled social and historical responsibilities. They ought to keep in heart the responsibility and the interest of 1.8 billion Chinese and European people, look at our relationship from a long-term and strategic perspective, recognise the importance of this relationship to our interest and the world’s, make their news reporting and commentary conducive to consensus, trust and cooperation between us, rather than fermentative of conflict, dispute and contradictions. With responsibility in mind, one could constantly remind him or herself what impact a report or comment will have, whether it’ll be good to the overall interest, whether it’ll produce greater practical and historical value and have sounder political and social effect. With responsibility in mind, there will be no more mistakes as tagging the Nepalese police as the Chinese army.

For objectivity, our media and correspondents shall be more adhering to the basic principles of news reporting for presenting the truth to the world. China and Europe have many differences in history, culture, social environment and values. But we all cherish and follow the principle of telling the truth, especially those working in the media. The objectivity of news reporting hinges on comprehensiveness of information and balance of views. It is on disputed issues that objective reporting is of particular importance. One should not give lopsided views and criticise only for exerting pressure, neither should one stand in favour of any side by employing certain media tricks, such as reporting with innuendo wording or selective photography with underlying statement. The key of matter is that the Chinese and European media should respect the other’s theory of development, policy choice and cultural values, and the correspondents should do their job with an accepting mind, an open heart and a broad vision. With objectivity in mind, one would try to step into the other’s shoe and look at things from the other’s perspective, and give comprehensive and balanced reporting without biased views or filtered opinion. With objectivity in mind, there will be no more Cold War mentality against China or labelling China with hostile sobriquets.

To acquire credibility, our media and correspondents shall be more pious to their professional ethics for maintaining fairness and reason. To some extent, a piece of news would reflect the position and views of the reporter. However, if an editor or reporter manipulates the reporting only in favour of his or her personal values, or a media organization bases its political stand only on its business interest, or even, out of ulterior motives, someone abuses the right to information and public discourse by distorting facts, falsifying information, fabricating stories, misleading the public, making unfounded and irresponsible accusation or sentimental verbal attack, then the professional ethics and moral standards are entirely neglected and negated. I don’t think any serious media or correspondent would go that far. Most will be fair and reasonable in their work to uphold the media credibility. With credibility in mind, one would be more dedicated to guarantee the truthfulness of the story, enhance the media influence on public opinion and maintain the mass media as a sustainable social power. With credibility in mind, there will be no more cutting, trimming, misplacing or faking news photos.

For better communication, our media and correspondents shall be more active in exchange and cooperation for acquiring more understanding and knowledge. The Chinese and European media should strengthen information exchange and professional cooperation in order to improve reporting the other side. More importantly, they should engage the local community and establish frank, in-depth and two-way communication with people from all walks of life. They should listen more attentively to the other side’s reaction to their impression, judgment and conclusion. Such is the communication between the equals. No one plays like a judge making verdict, or a doctor searching maladies behind a magnifier. With communication in mind, one would collect information as widely as possible and set more angles on viewing an issue, so as to get better understanding of the issue and making the reporting richer in content and deeper in analysis. With communication in mind, there will be no more astonishment about the anger and antagonism from the Chinese netizens and students last year.

Finally, I’d like to say a few words about China’s reaction to criticisms from the western media. Some European friends said to me, don’t take those criticisms seriously, that’s the media’s hobby. But I would make one point clear, that is, we Chinese are modest, tolerant, inclusive, self-critical and eager to learn from others. We are keen to study the experiences of the successful achievements from other countries and nations, and we wish to make our unique contributions to the human civilizations. We know that there are problems and defects during the course of development. We acknowledge them and welcome constructive suggestions and well-intended criticisms. And we are ready to talk about disagreements and disputes through dialogue so that we will have better mutual understanding. What we don’t accept is wilful imposition of views and standards or putting pressure by way of press assailment, aimed at forcing us out of the road to development chosen by our people. China never yields to any pressure, nor do our government and people change their thinking or action in face of pressure. Over the past thirty years, China has made tremendous achievements in economic, social, political, cultural and other fields. These achievements are the result of the reform and opening-up policy and the hard work of all Chinese people. They are not by the slightest means result of media pressure from the West.

President Calame, Secretary General Stahl, Friends from the Chinese and European media,

On the press conference during his recent visit to the EU headquarters, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said, “I believe that the larger trend of the EU-China relationship cannot be reversed, like no one can reverse the trend of history”. And President Barroso said, “Europe, China and the international community can only benefit from intense cooperation between EU and China”. It is a historical mission for us to push forward the China-EU comprehensive and strategic partnership. To fulfil it, we shall do our bit in our job and also give the other assistance and support. We shall keep in mind the overall interest of our relations and promote with action understanding, trust, friendship and cooperation between China and Europe. Together we will make our relationship beneficial to our people and to the world.

Thank you.