Canadian Association of Chinese Reporters Successfully Elects New Leadership

CCTVmedium News On the evening of July 23, 2024, the Canadian Association of Chinese Reporters (CACR) held its first post-pandemic council meeting and leadership election online. The meeting aimed to summarize the association’s progress over the past few years, explore its future development in the post-pandemic era, and strengthen communication and collaboration among members. The event was hosted by CACR Vice President Jia Jianjun, with President Zhu Jennifer delivering a comprehensive work report.

President Zhu expressed her gratitude to all members for their participation and support. She reviewed the association’s accomplishments and shared plans regarding new leadership, financial management, event organization, member development, and media collaborations. Zhu highlighted notable activities organized since CACR’s inception, such as hosting a delegation from the China Commerce and Trade Press in December 2016, arranging a member visit to Ottawa’s Parliament Hill, and a Senate tour on June 22, 2017. These events not only fostered member exchanges but also enhanced understanding of Canada’s political system and culture.

During Canada’s 150th anniversary in 2017, CACR initiated the “Belt and Road: Chinese Culture Going Global” global art exhibition series. The Canada-China art showcase, Pieces of Maple Love, was a significant highlight. Beyond local events, CACR also facilitated media exchange trips to China in 2018, strengthening ties between Chinese and Canadian journalists.

To enhance professional skills, CACR regularly conducted training sessions on journalism, photography, and video production, which were highly appreciated by members. Starting in 2018, CACR collaborated with CCTVmedium Inc to launch the branded event, China Stories, Chinese New Year Gala. Held annually for six consecutive years, the gala showcased the richness of Chinese culture while strengthening the sense of community among Chinese Canadians. Recognized as a key event under the Happy Chinese New Year program by the Chinese Consulate General in Toronto, the gala has become a household name in Canada and an essential platform for promoting Chinese culture.

However, the global COVID-19 pandemic from 2019 to 2022 posed significant challenges to CACR’s operations, forcing the suspension of in-person activities. Despite these setbacks, CACR maintained member engagement through online platforms.

The council meeting also elected the new executive committee, with Zhu Fengjie re-elected as President.

During the open discussion session, board members actively shared ideas and suggestions, particularly on media innovation, technology adoption, enhancing media influence, fostering collaborations with other media outlets, and organizing more culturally innovative events.

In her concluding remarks, President Zhu emphasized CACR’s mission and vision, urging all members to work together toward long-term development goals. She outlined plans for more meaningful activities, including professional development opportunities, international reporting projects, and virtual lectures by renowned media figures.