Guangzhou chronicles

Given all the articles and stories about the conflict in the West Philippine Sea, it is quite understandable that many Filipinos have misgivings about visiting China or being viewed as “pro” or “friendly.”

- CITO BELTRAN

Because of their sense of patriotism, there are also many people unwilling to understand or find out more about the “strained relations” between the two countries. But as far as journalists are concerned, we are required to be informed, be fair, be balanced and to be accurate.

But how does one do so without engaging with all sides? Even Moses knew better when he sent out 12 leaders to “spy out the promised land,” as written in the Bible - Numbers 13: 17 to 20:

17 Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan. He said to them, “Go up there into the Negev. Then go up into the hill country. 18 See what the land is like. See if the people who live in it are strong or weak, and if they are few or many. 19 Find out if the land they live in is good or bad. See if the cities they live in are open or if they have walls. 20 Find out if the land is rich or poor, and if there are trees in it or not. Then try to get some of the fruit of the land.

When the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry Inc (FFCCCII) presented an opportunity to exchange views and knowledge with students of Journalism and International Studies at Jinan University, I was hesitant, but I went anyway.

During our engagement with the faculty and foreign exchange students of Journalism and International Studies at Jinan University, it was evident that the Philippines was “the talk of the town’ if not the world on several levels.