How Journalists Resonate with the Spirit of the Age - Zhang Yanping Brings Her New Book to Beijing Jiaotong University [2025-09-17]

Zhang Yanping, author of "Faces of the Era: Portraits by Xinhua's Leading Journalist", senior journalist, and Xinhua News Agency's first "Leading Journalist", recently visited Beijing Jiaotong University. She delivered a lecture titled "How Journalists Resonate with the Spirit of the Age: Perspectives from 'Faces of the Era'" to faculty and students of the School of Languages and Communication Studies. Chen Ziji, Secretary of the Party Committee of Beijing Jiaotong University, attended the event and exchanged views with Zhang Yanping. The activity was hosted by Sun Wenbo, Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Languages and Communication Studies.

Published by Xinhua Publishing House in April 2025, "Faces of the Era: Portraits by Xinhua's Leading Journalist" compiles representative reports from Zhang Yanping's 33-year career of grassroots journalism across much of China. Notable works include "Why Are the Suoma Flowers So Red," "Communists in the Mountain Valleys", "The General Has Set Off," and "An Old Man and 300 Impoverished Students".

Chen Ziji introduced the university's development and discussed theoretical innovation and practical approaches in higher education management. He emphasized that journalism is an indispensable force in social progress and public governance, particularly crucial in the information age for cultivating media professionals with both responsibility and expertise. He expressed that this lecture would broaden students' perspectives and inspire their future career development.

During the event, Zhang Yanping shared insights on "how to properly understand this profession before entering the media field". Quoting Mu Qing, former President of Xinhua News Agency, she emphasized that true journalists should carry ideals and compassion, noting that journalism is inseparable from human emotion, spirit, and social responsibility, offering practitioners a vast platform. She explained that through interviewing and writing, journalists encounter broad society and multifaceted lives, broadening their perspectives. Through the interaction between their work and society, they witness journalism's tremendous power, feeling proud, gratified, and fulfilled. "Journalism is a profession connected to emotion, soul, responsibility, and social commitment - an unwavering dedication to the Party, country, people, and this land that becomes part of our bloodline".

Drawing from three career interviews, Zhang Yanping described a journalist's step-by-step growth and development. Using "Why Are the Suoma Flowers So Red" as an example, she detailed the experience and writing process of Wang Shunyou, a loyal "horseback mail route" postman in Muli Tibetan Autonomous County, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan, recognized as a "National Model Worker," "Touching China 2005 Person of the Year," and "Most Beautiful Striver". She walked the "horseback mail route" with Wang, personally experiencing its dangers, understanding his loneliness and struggles, while witnessing his heroic stature as a "mountain figure" among villagers. Through interviews with Bai Fangli and covering the Wenchuan earthquake, she became increasingly convinced that "the noblest people are on the land" and that "the word 'belief' carries great weight," urging journalists to focus more on ordinary people's shining qualities.

During the Q&A session, Zhang Yanping warmly interacted with students, encouraging them to master basic skills, learn coursework well, develop habits of observing society, cherish practical opportunities, engage in extensive reading, and benefit from books' nourishment.

This lecture provided students with new perspectives on news interviewing and writing, helping them understand journalists' working conditions and social responsibilities, offering important references for future study and career planning. Simultaneously, students gained valuable life insights and deepened their understanding of people and society.

Wang Hao, Director of Beijing Jiaotong University's General Office, and all leadership members of the School of Languages and Communication Studies attended the event.