For many of the African journalists who are in Beijing for the "2018 Senior Level Media Executives Seminar" – organized by China's Ministry of Commerce – this is their very first time stepping foot in China. 

This is despite having reported about their countries' relations with China for many years. 

For Zipporah Wangaru Muthui, a senior TV producer at Kenya Broadcasting Corp, her initial perception on China was that it was a closed state, that "there is limited freedom of expression of journalists, and that the Chinese can only report a positive image of China."

"And when I am here, I find your news reports about everything: I saw stories on migrants, on so many other issues and not just the focus on what the government is doing. So the [initial] perception is not true," Zipporah said.

Migrants: A father goes home for Chinese New Year with his kid. /VCG Photo‍ 

For Sylivanus Karemera Musonera, chief news editor at Rwanda Broadcasting Agency, he initially thought China was a developed country – based on what he has been reading and watching from newswires. 

"It is from my little time here so far that I learned from professors that China is still developing," he said.

Sylivanus said that in the past one week at the seminar, he has been learning about "How China managed to do its own business without being dictated by external forces or by other countries, and how China decided to stand on its own two feet to develop this far."

How does the African media view China?

Dennis Kwadwo Peprah, chief reporter at Ghana News Agency said the perception of his home country towards China has been improving over the years. 

"If you come to Africa, we are far behind in technological advancements, while the Chinese are fast growing in these. So I think it's an area Africans need to tap into," he said. 

Zipporah said the perception Kenya has about China is that China has come on board as a development partner.

"However, the challenge is in the different culture and language of communication. Most of the Chinese projects in Kenya are operated by the Chinese. I feel that once China has completed an infrastructure project, they should let Kenyans to takeover to empower Kenyan citizens," she said.

CGTN reporter with Zipporah Wangari Muthui, the senior TV producer at Kenya Broadcasting Corp. /CGTN Photo

African journalists call for more exchange programs

Dennis has been reporting in Ghana for 13 years now and this is his first time in China, so is Zipporah's – who has been a producer in Kenya for eight years.

They commend the Chinese government’s efforts in bridging the gap between China-Africa media and would like to see more exchange programs being held.

"For example, you have a journalist reporting in Kenya, can tell stories of Kenya through a Chinese journalist and vice versa," said Zipporah, adding that China is welcome in Kenya. 

"And I believe China is [also] welcoming Kenya because it’s through this forum that I’ve been able to interact with the Chinese to learn about their culture and way of life, so I have something to take home with me when I go back," she said. 

On this note, Sylivanus said there is this stereotype that some Chinese who think that Africa is one country, when in fact it is a continent with 54 countries with different cultures – and hence, she also called for the need to have these exchange programs.