'Chongqing Was Big in 2003—But Today, It's on a Whole New Level'

Chongqing - From April 20 to 22, the "Stories of the CPC" Seminar for Leaders of Media Organizations gathered party media representatives from around the world to explore China's modernization development. 

During their visit from April 21 to 23, the delegation experienced the unique charm of Chongqing, a rapidly developing megacity in southwest China. Goran Kostovski, Editor-in-Chief of Antropol from North Macedonia, described Chongqing as "the future city."

One of the seminar's key visitors, Guy Mettan, CEO of the Swiss Press Club and Deputy at the Geneva Parliament, took a ride on the Chongqing Rail Transit (CRT) Line 2, passing through the famous Liziba Station. Reflecting on his visit, Mettan shared, "This is my second time in Chongqing. I first visited in 2003, and at that time, it was already a big city, but not as large or developed as it is today."

"I'm impressed by the city's development, not just in buildings but also the economy and public transportation, like the subway. What surprises me most is how efficiently so many people are organized without disruption," Mettan added.

Liziba Station is an iconic site, renowned for its distinctive design, which features a monorail train passing through an apartment block. This unique attraction has drawn numerous tourists to the city. It is the first straddle-type monorail elevated station in China to coexist with residential and commercial buildings, making it a remarkable symbol of urban innovation.

During a visit to the Minzhucun Community in Jiulongpo District, Lê Thi Thuc, a member of the Editorial Board of the Vietnam National Political Publisher, praised the area's vibrant environment. She highlighted the community’s cleanliness, welcoming atmosphere, and lively surroundings, noting that it could serve as a potential model for similar developments in Vietnam.

She added, "The government's effective collaboration with the community is essential to this success."

Minzhucun, initially established in the 1950s, is home to nearly 20,000 residents. Once described as "old, dilapidated, and small," the community has undergone revitalization efforts, transforming into a thriving area with a 15-minute service circle that caters to both young and elderly residents. 

Lê noted the unique approach to intergenerational living, saying, "In Vietnam, elderly people often live separately from their families, but here in Minzhucun, elderly and younger generations live together, supporting one another. This creates a harmonious and positive model."

The seminar also included a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Dazu Rock Carvings, where Natalia Makhviladze, anchor and producer at TV IMEDI in Georgia, was in awe of the site's mystique. She said, "This place is very mystical, and it’s a dream of my life. It demonstrates how strong and deep the history of China and the great country is."

For Makhviladze, who has over 20 years of experience in the media industry, the visit to China was an opportunity for both professional growth and personal reflection. She emphasized the importance of the media in shaping global agendas and expressed optimism about the future of Sino-Georgian relations. 

"China and Georgia are strategic partners, and our relationship will grow closer, especially with visa-free access. Our mutual infrastructure projects and growing political and cultural ties will bring more benefits to both countries," she added.

(Huan Ran, as an intern, also contributed to the report.)