Peng Shujie (L), deputy editor-in-chief of Xinhua News Agency, who is also director of Xinhua reporting squad for the 24th Universiade, is interviewed by a TV media of Thailand at the main press center (MPC) of the 24th Universiade in Bangkok, Thailand, Aug. 4, 2007. The Chinese media arrived in Bangkok in force on Friday night, Aug. 3, 2007. (Xinhua Photo/Wu Wei)
Bangkok, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) — The Chinese media have arrived in Bangkok in force and are the biggest team of journalists reporting on the 24th Universiade.
A huge team of almost 40 Chinese journalists and photographers arrived in Bangkok late on Friday night from Beijing to cover the 24th Universiade.
“We’re having a practice run for next year’s Olympics,” joked Wu Chen, who normally reports on international affairs at her home base in Beijing.
“A lot of our team have reported on sports events in the past, so they have the experience, while for others this events will be a big learning curve,” said another member of the Chinese team.
The big Chinese delegation are working for China’s national news agency Xinhua News Agency and their reports on the Universiade will be in both Chinese and English. These reports will be sent around the world by the Xinhua News Agency, which also has a full time office in Bangkok.
“What we can learn here will be a big help to us all when the Olympic Games come around next year.” said Wu Chen.
“This event is one of the world’s biggest sporting tournaments with a wide variety of sports being played and we are all looking forward to it.”
For most of the Chinese media this is their first trip to Thailand and they are hoping to see as much as they can.
“We are all suffering a bit from the heat here,” said one member of the team.” Right now it’s warm in Beijing, but no where near as hot as here.”
Other members of the Chinese media team have already noticed the similarities between Chinese and Thai food.
“Some of the local food we saw today looks a lot like Chinese food, but with more spices,” said another team member.
(Source: Universiade Daily)