On November 3, 2018 Media Program for B&R Countries welcomed its first day at Tsinghua University. Twenty-two executives and senior reporters from mainstream media agencies will participate in the 6-day program. The program helps participants better understand the achievements and experiences of China’s Reform and Opening up, as well as the Belt and Road Initiative. The training program is co-hosted by Tsinghua University and People's Daily and organized by PBC School of Finance at Tsinghua University (Tsinghua PBCSF).

Yang Bin, Vice President and Provost of Tsinghua University, and Fu Zimei, Director of the Foreign Exchange and Cooperation Department of People's Daily, addressed the opening ceremony. Wang Jingwei, Assistant Dean of Tsinghua PBCSF, hosted the ceremony.

On behalf of Tsinghua University, Yang Bin extended a warm welcome to the participants. “This year marks the 5th year of the B&R Initiative and the 40th anniversary of China’s Reform and Opening up. Welcome to China and Tsinghua University in the most beautiful season of the year! Tsinghua PBCSF is one of the best schools for China’s financial education and has flourished with China’s Reform and Opening-up. I hope you could benefit from this program.” he said.

The program represents Tsinghua University and People’s Daily’s intention to answering the call of the B&R Initiative and step up to the responsibility of carrying forward the international exchange and cooperation, stated Yang. The media’s role becomes increasingly important with the implementation of the B&R Initiative, not only as the recorder of history, the observer of reality, and the pioneer of future, but also the leader of public opinion and the communicator that would bring people closer in the Belt and Road region. 

The joint program by Tsinghua University and People’s Daily features specialized curriculum, diverse training forms and well-planned practical activities. Through the program, participants will have the opportunity to enhance their reporting fields and get to know the latest development of China, said Fu Zimei.

Arnold Belleza, Executive Editor of Manila Times, spoke on behalf of the program participants. He thinks highly of the B&R Initiative and believes deep cultural and educational exchange can serve as a bridge for mutual understanding.

The Media Program for B&R Countries first started in 2017 jointly by Tsinghua PBCSF and People's Daily, on the basis of Media Cooperation Forum on the Belt & Road. With the 2018 Media Cooperation Forum, Tsinghua PBCSF and People's Daily launches the 2018 Media Program. The Program opens mainly to executives and senior media professionals of mainstream media in the Belt and Road countries. With a vision to exert lasting, positive impact on the cooperation among B&R countries, the Program offers systematic interpretation of the B&R Initiative through both in-class lectures and various activities. In 2017Media Program, 25 mainstream executives and reporters from 14 Belt & Road countries attended the program, including Malaysia, Singapore, Laos, Vietnam, Pakistan and Thailand.