This photo taken on April 23, 2024 shows a view in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. Chongqing is the only municipality in the central and western region of China. Built on mountains and partially surrounded by the Yangtze and Jialing rivers, it is known as a "mountain city" and a "city on rivers".(Photo: Xinhua)

Cranes sway their giant arms, railway tracks crisscross, containers are stacked up... walking in the Guoyuan port in Southwest China’s Chongqing, one can feel the strong pulse of the mountainous city’s development. And for foreign journalists, seeing the bustling activities up close brings fresh understanding of China’s economic story. 

During several field trips organized by the All-China Journalists Association, nearly 100 heads of journalists’ organizations and media representatives from 50 countries and regions witnessed Chongqing’s thriving industries, after visiting local logistics hubs, tourist attractions and intelligent automotive manufacturing factories.

As some Western media outlets step up their smearing campaign targeting China, some foreigners’ perception of China has been clouded, though they have never been to China. 

However, hearing about something 100 times is not the same as seeing it once. The mountainous city blends traditional culture and modern development, showing the vitality and charm of China in the midst of incessant reform and opening-up. For foreign journalists, a visit to Chongqing city is not merely an assignment, but also an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of China’s diversity and Chinese modernization.

A number of journalists were struck by the stunning natural beauty as they saw three massive natural stone bridges in the Fairy Mountain in Wulong district. Marveling at the breathtaking karst landscape there, the strong connection between local residents and the nature also amazed them. 

When they were impressed by local government’s efforts to promote tourism and protect ecologic diversity, they can personally witness how China upholds the principle that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" and strives to maintain harmony between humanity and nature in the country’s pursuit of modernization in the past many years.

When taking the bus to Guiyuan town in Wulong district, foreign journalists were attracted by signs erected on the mountain promoting rural vitalization efforts.
 
At first, they did not fully understand the meaning of the slogan. After they saw a small town deep in the mountains gradually embarking on the road to prosperity by taking advantage of local scenery to develop tourism, they got to know the true meaning of rural vitalization. 

Visiting Guiyuan town, foreign journalists experienced tie-dyeing and tasting local tea. They saw local young people return home to start their own businesses, and farmers can also earn more money by making coffee and operating homestay industry.

As they sat in the local library, sipping coffee and enjoying the magnificent landscape, they truly appreciated China’s efforts and achievements in promoting comprehensive rural revitalization.

Meanwhile, the journalists felt the country’s efforts to develop green industry in China’s leading electric vehicle (EV) maker Seres Group’s super factory.

During a visit to the intelligent auto manufacturing factory, they couldn’t wait to get into the newest model of Seres vehicles for a test driving and turn on the engine to learn about China’s EV technology. While walking through the welding workshop, they observed that each assembly procedure was carried out smoothly and precisely, with minimal human involvement.

When they were told that a new car rolls off the assembly line every 30 seconds, they were amazed at the efficiency of the factory and deeply appreciated the development speed and modernization level of China’s manufacturing industry.

Enjoying the Two-River Cruise on the Yangtze and Jialing rivers, the journalists were impressed with an unforgettable experience when taking in Chongqing’s cityscape at night. 

Looking from the cruise ship to the shore, they saw the brightly lit buildings and the traffic flow of the streets. At that moment, they appreciated the actual economic vitality of the city.

Through the Chongqing trip, the foreign journalists deeply experienced the diversity and inclusiveness of China. They hailed the development model of the city - increasingly driven by green development and new quality productive forces. 

Chinese modernization aims to promote green and low-carbon ways of production and life by adjusting and improving the structure of the industrial, energy, and transportation sectors, pursuing high-quality development built on a healthy, sustainable nature. 

Moreover, China is working with other countries to foster an international environment that is conducive to development and creating new drivers for global growth.

If foreign journalists, or anyone from around the world, want to truly understand China, the best way is to experience it firsthand. As the proverb says, seeing is believing.