Headquarters of ACJA

The All-China Journalists Association (ACJA) (Chinese: 中華全國新聞工作者協會; pinyin: Zhōnghuá quánguó xīnwén gōngzuò zhě xiéhuì), previously known as the 'Chinese Young Journalist Association', is a people's organization established in Shanghai on November 8, 1937.[1] November 8 now marks 'National Journalists Day' in China.[2] The society was established by Chinese wartime reporter Fan Changjiang and later organized and sponsored by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).[1] On September 15, 1949, the All China Journalist Association became the first Chinese media association to be formally recognized by, and integrated into, the International Federation of Journalists.[3]

Membership in the association is required for all professional journalists in China as overseen by the Propaganda Department of the Chinese Communist Party.[4] There are over 217 rural and industrial member organizations in the association, encompassing over 1 million individuals in the media industry in China.[5] The All-China Journalists Association is also a member of the Belt and Road News Network, assisting in the network's establishment in 2017.[6]

History

Founding members

Fan Changjiang

Fan Changjiang's career in journalism gained domestic notoriety in China during the Sino-Japanese war, attributed to his work as a war correspondent in regional China.[1] During this period, he made observations of poverty in rural China in his book ‘The Northwest Corner of China’ (Zhongguo de Xibei Jiao), espousing his melancholy to see "bare-footed children…bound-footed women…plodding along’ on the “Refugee Trail".[1]

Fan Changjiang promoted engagement with, and development of, the journalistic profession in rural communities to increase the visibility of minority groups and their diverse experiences during the war and under the existing government.[1] Changjiang became disillusioned with the Nationalist government during the Sino-Japanese war attributed to their perceived disregard for rural communities, and later aligned himself with the CCP.[7]

The Chinese journalist strongly advocated for transforming media practices in China, esteeming objective, factual reporting compared to commentarial pieces in inaccessible language created by his predecessors.[7] Fan Changjiang launched the All-China Journalist Association to manifest this ideological shift, creating an organization where techniques, styles and good reporting practices could be monitored and imparted upon reporters from localities across China and amongst China's various ethnic groups.[1]

Fan Changjiang also participated in opening the ‘Reporters Hostel’ to create a physical location where reporters could collectively gather and share practices and develop ideas.[7] In honor of Fan Changjiang's contribution to the development of journalism and reporting in China, the All-China Journalist Association established the ‘Fan Changjiang Journalist Award’, the most prestigious journalist award in the nation.[8]

Structure

Executive Appointment Process

Board members of the All-China Journalist Association are appointed every five years and are typically high-ranking members of Chinese media institutions, domestically renowned reporters, notable public figures, and well-regarded editors.[8]

President

Zhang Yannong

President Zhang Yannong was born in 1948, joining the ‘People's Daily’ in 1996, one of China's three main state-influenced media organizations.[9] In 2008, he was appointed president of People's Daily. The president was formerly Vice Chairman of the All-China Journalist Association but recently was appointed to president, current as of January 2021.[citation needed]

Honorary President

Shao Huaze

Honorary president Shao Huaze was born in the Zhejiang in 1933 as a member of the dominant Han Chinese ethnic group.[10] Shao joined the People's Liberation Army in 1950 and later joined the CCP in 1957.[10] In 1960, he graduated from the Department of Philosophy of the People's University with a postgraduate degree.[10]

On June 4, 1989, Shao Huaze became the director of the People's Daily, the official mouthpiece of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.[11] This appointment followed the removal of existing director Qian Liren and chief editor Tan Wenrui who both had expressed disenfranchisement with the Chinese Communist Party attributed to their involvement in the Tiananmen Square Massacre.[11] In response to this, Shao publicly condemned journalists for spreading "misleading" information about the government.[11]

Formally the president of the All-China Journalist society, Shao Huaze is now the honorary president.[8] Shao Huaze has also been a member of the 15th, 14th and 9th General Committee and National Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.[10]

Executive Vice President

Liu Zhengrong

Liu Zhengrong is a member of the Chinese Communist party and the Deputy Chief of Internet Affairs at the Bureau of the State Council Information Office.[12] He has been significantly involved in preventing access to ‘illicit’ materials entering China through establishment of online ‘firewall’ mechanisms.[12] Liu also acted as vice-president of Xinhua News Agency and currently is also an Executive Secretary for the All-China Journalists Association.[13][8]

Vice-Presidents

The following is current of January 2021.[8]

Executive Secretaries

The following is current of January 2021.[8]

Departments

Domestic Work Department

The Domestic Work Department works with communities to understand domestic rhetoric and sentiment.[14] Journalists are able to produce authentic localized pieces within the guidelines of the Chinese Communist Party Department of Propaganda.[15]

International Liaison Department

The International Liaison Department of the Chinese Communist Party works to establish connections and communications with foreign media organizations.[16] This outreach program enables Chinese perspectives to be represented in international media as well as Chinese journalists to participate in the international community of journalists.[16]

Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao Affairs Department

The Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Department works with media organizations in these locations in an attempt to improve diplomatic communications and share media practice and ideology.[17]

The General Office and Journalism Training Centre

The General Office and Journalism Training Centre collaborates with the Chinese Communist Party, Journalism schools and university departments to connect journalists and organizations with students, as well as to spread methods and techniques associated with journalism.[15] This department works in adherence to the 2013 ‘Joint Model’ of cooperation and collaboration between the Propaganda Department of the Central Committee and Chinese universities, so as to ensure the spread of CCP ideals and desired media output.[15]

Members

Industrial Partner Organizations

China Photography Association

Established in 1956, the Chinese Photography Association, renamed the Photojournalist Society of China in 1983, aims to provide a platform for photographers to express their interpretation of life in China through visual media focused on both natural landscapes and human stories.[18] The association joined the All-China Journalist association upon its inception and was founded by the former head of the Xinhua News Photography Department, Shi Shaohua, who became the chairman of the new association.[18] The photographer's association aimed to create photographic exhibitions, national and internationally recognized magazines and establish awards to recognize talented Chinese photographers.[18]

Other Industrial Partners

The following list is current as of January 2021.[19]

Provincial Member Organizations

Awards and Accolades

Fan Changjiang Award

The Fan Changjiang Award is awarded to reporters, and is regarded as one of the two most recognized journalism awards in China.[5]

Taofen Award

The Taofen Award, named after Zou Taofen is dedicated to journalistic editors for 'outstanding' contribution.[8]

International Interactions

Belt and Road

Project summary

The Belt and Road Project is a physical manifestation of China's expansionary foreign policy under leadership of Xi Jinping.[20][21] The initiative was launched in Kazakhstan at Nazarbayev University and in Indonesia in late 2013.[21] The Belt and Road Initiative is of significance internationally attributed to China's inextricable and transnational economic integration, predominantly through its role in manufacturing but expanding into other industries such as technology.[21]

The Belt and Road Project has three predominant aspects: Overland, Technological, and Maritime. The Overland aspect includes coherent development of routes passing through Russia, Mongolia, the Middle East, Central Asia, Turkey and ending at Europe.[21] The initiative's Maritime manifestation includes control and ability to facilitate trade and movements through the South China Sea, Indian Ocean and towards the Middle East and Europe.[21] Technologically, China has developed satellites, fiber-optic cables, communication networks, and has promoted the expansion of Chinese mobile companies to integrate the international community and China more deeply.[20] The Chinese government has launched initiatives to these effects, such as developing railways in the south-east Asian region.[20] China has also worked to influence nations through crafting aid agreements, bilateral trading agreements and establishing free trade with participating and cooperative nations.[20]

All-China Journalists Association and Belt and Road

The All-China Journalists Association regularly cooperates with the Chinese government and member organizations and journalists to produce content that updates about and promotes the Belt and Road Project.[22] This is exemplified through articles published by the organization in cooperation with oligarchical Chinese news agencies such as Xinhuanet and China Daily.[9] A report on May 5, 2020, from the organization in collaboration with China Daily alludes to Russian collaboration through the assertion "we are all in a community of common destiny.[8]”

In 2018, the All-China Journalists Association assembled the BRI Journalists Forum, which included approximately 100 representatives from 47 developing countries.[23]: 132 

The Belt and Road Journalists Network

The Belt and Road Initiative has also enabled the All-China Journalist Society, in collaboration with other members of the Belt and Road Project to create a ‘Belt and Road Journalists Network.[24] The Belt and Road News Network, launched in 2017, encompasses 208 media organizations from over 98 different nations.[6] The Chair of the organization is China's People's Daily in collaboration with the All-China Journalists Association with the Secretariat located at ‘People's Daily’ in Beijing, China.[6] The first council meeting was held in 2019, in Beijing, China, with over 40 international media organizations present.[6]

This collaboration encompasses multiple media forms, including music, photography and news.[24] Belt and Road News Network activities include collaborative media trips, shared access to news and media archives and databases, collective workshops and training seminars, as well as awards.[6][24] In September 2019, the Belt and Road News Network held a media workshop in China; over 47 countries were represented and over 100 senior correspondents and senior editors were present.[6]

Belt and Road News Association Charter

The Charter contains 20 articles espousing collective adherence to ‘peaceful cooperation’ and ‘mutual learning.’[6]

Article Number Summary
Article 1 Jointly established by nations involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.
Article 2 Build an open and collaborative media platform. Promote peace, green development, and prosperity. Develop International Relations.
Article 3 Headquarters are in Beijing, China.
Article 4 Improve project cooperation and operational mechanisms.
Article 5 Host events such as seminars, workshops, awards, and communal travel to foster interaction and open dialogue.
Article 6 Share information among media organisations and transfer technological innovations.
Article 7 Contribute to joint research programs.
Article 8 Members must have a level of domestic influence in their respective nations, adhere to the charter, and be voluntary members of the organisation.
Article 9 The Chair of the council, which will be assumed by the ‘People's Daily’, is responsible for organising meetings and events. Councils will have two-year terms.
Article 10 Permanent office is the People's Daily in Beijing, China.
Article 11 Membership is organised by invitation.
Article 12 Members who wish to withdraw must submit written documents to this effect. Members may be removed by popular vote.
Article 13 Members have access to all activities organised by the Belt and Road News Network.
Article 14 Members shall attend meetings every two years.
Article 15 Council meetings will be held sporadically.
Article 16 The Belt and Road News Network will:

1. Provide a news service platform.

2. Provide a database to share resources.

3. Organise international trips.

4. Provide journalist training programs.

5. Confer Belt and Road Media Awards.

6. Provide tailored services to members.

Article 17 The charter will be enacted once the council has approved it.
Article 18 Amendments will be decided by the council.
Article 19 The Secretariat (People's Daily, China) is responsible for interpreting the charter.
Article 20 The Charter has been translated into English from Chinese and, therefore, if there is any discrepancy, the Chinese document will be adhered to as the primary document.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Hung, Chang-Tai (October 1991). "Paper Bullets". Modern China. 17 (4): 427–468. doi:10.1177/009770049101700401. ISSN 0097-7004. S2CID 144411796.
  2. ^ 苗明媚. "China marks Journalists' Day - Xinhua | English.news.cn". www.xinhuanet.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  3. ^ editor., Fang, Hanqi (2013). A history of journalism in China. Silkroad Press. ISBN 978-981-4332-25-5. OCLC 841432786. ((cite book)): |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ Herbert, John (February 11, 2013). Practising Global Journalism: Exploring reporting issues worldwide. CRC Press. p. 158. ISBN 9781136029868.
  5. ^ a b "About us - All-China Journalists Association". www.chinaja.org.cn. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g "A Brief Introduction to the Belt and Road News Network – The Belt and Road News Network". en.brnn.com. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  7. ^ a b c Fang., Hanqi (2014). A history of journalism in China. Silkroad Press. ISBN 978-981-4339-16-2. OCLC 874812004.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h "About us – All-China Journalists Association". www.chinaja.org.cn. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  9. ^ a b Cheng, Zhuqing; Golan, Guy J.; Kiousis, Spiro (July 17, 2015). "The Second-Level Agenda-Building Function of the Xinhua News Agency". Journalism Practice. 10 (6): 744–762. doi:10.1080/17512786.2015.1063079. ISSN 1751-2786. S2CID 154079387.
  10. ^ a b c d "China Vitae : Biography of Shao Huaze". www.chinavitae.com. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  11. ^ a b c Tan, Frank (1990). "The People's Daily: Politics and Popular Will-Journalistic Defiance in China During the Spring of 1989". Pacific Affairs. 63 (2): 151–169. doi:10.2307/2759720. ISSN 0030-851X. JSTOR 2759720.
  12. ^ a b "Internet offers netizens a new voice – China.org.cn". www.china.org.cn. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  13. ^ "Belt and Road Economic Information Partnership to build info bridge | english.scio.gov.cn". english.scio.gov.cn. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  14. ^ Groot, Gerry (September 19, 2016), "The Expansion of the United Front Under Xi Jinping", The China Story Yearbook 2015: Pollution, ANU Press, doi:10.22459/csy.09.2016.04a, ISBN 978-1-76046-068-6
  15. ^ a b c Xu, Jian (October 9, 2018). "The Return of Ideology to China's Journalism Education: The 'Joint Model' Campaign Between Propaganda Departments and Journalism Schools". Asia Pacific Media Educator. 28 (2): 176–185. doi:10.1177/1326365x18799134. ISSN 1326-365X. S2CID 158101025.
  16. ^ a b "International Department Central Committee of CPC". www.idcpc.org.cn. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  17. ^ "The Department of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs". www.fmprc.gov.cn. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  18. ^ a b c Claire., Roberts (2013). Photography and China. Reaktion Books. ISBN 978-1-78023-247-8. OCLC 871781862.
  19. ^ "Professional Journalists Associations – All-China Journalists Association". www.chinaja.org.cn. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  20. ^ a b c d Gerstl, Alfred; Wallenböck, Ute, eds. (November 29, 2020). China's Belt and Road Initiative. Routledge. doi:10.4324/9781003054597. hdl:2437/287499. ISBN 978-1-003-05459-7. S2CID 224984669.
  21. ^ a b c d e Garlick, Jeremy (November 15, 2019), "Assessing the impacts of China's Belt and Road Initiative", The Impact of China's Belt and Road Initiative, Routledge, pp. 216–234, doi:10.4324/9781351182768-7, ISBN 978-1-351-18276-8, S2CID 210254071, retrieved May 31, 2021
  22. ^ "All-China Journalists Association". www.chinaja.org.cn. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  23. ^ Shinn, David H.; Eisenman, Joshua (2023). China's Relations with Africa: a New Era of Strategic Engagement. New York: Columbia University Press. ISBN 978-0-231-21001-0.
  24. ^ a b c Albert, Eleanor. "What Is the Belt and Road News Network?". thediplomat.com. Retrieved May 31, 2021.

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