On October 29, 2026, Innocent M'badouma, a Gabonese journalist, presented his book titled "Médias : le pont invisible – Comment connecter l’Afrique et la Chine" at the Guoyi Hotel in Beijing, China. The book was presented to journalists from several French-speaking African countries participating in a training seminar in the People's Republic of China. M'badouma's book reflects on his ten years of experience and observation of relations between Gabon and China, from 2016 to 2026.
The book, prefaced by Lin Joël Ndembet and published by Jindohang Savoir du Monde, highlights the role of media in bringing people together and strengthening mutual understanding between Africa and China. As a correspondent in China for several years, M'badouma draws on his professional experience to analyze the challenges of Sino-African media cooperation. His book emphasizes the importance of information in consolidating relations between the two parties.
According to M'badouma, "Les médias sont le pont invisible qui doit connecter l’Afrique et la Chine," or "The media is the invisible bridge that must connect Africa and China." He advocates for better knowledge of Chinese media practices and codes by African journalists, as well as greater understanding of African realities by their Chinese counterparts. This, he believes, will promote more balanced professional exchanges.
M'badouma's book also explores the opportunities offered by Sino-African cooperation in the media sector, while highlighting potential misunderstandings in information processing. He proposes reflection paths to encourage more balanced exchanges and better consideration of African realities and interests. The presentation was followed by a book signing session, attended by journalists from several French-speaking African countries.
These journalists had been gathered in China since October 14, 2026, for a seminar focused on training and sharing professional experiences. The seminar provided a platform for M'badouma to share his insights and experiences with a wider audience. His book has sparked interest among media professionals, who see it as a valuable resource for understanding the complexities of Sino-African media cooperation.
The book's cover features a luminous bridge connecting the African continent to the Great Wall of China, symbolizing the connection that M'badouma aims to foster between the two regions. Through his work, he hopes to contribute to a deeper understanding of the role of media in shaping Africa-China relations. The presentation of his book marks an important milestone in this effort.
The event was well-received by the participants, who appreciated M'badouma's insights into the media landscape in Africa and China. His work is seen as a significant contribution to the ongoing conversation about media cooperation and exchange between the two regions. As Africa and China continue to strengthen their ties, M'badouma's book provides a timely and thought-provoking analysis of the role of media in this process.
Key points
- The book highlights the importance of media in consolidating relations between Africa and China.
- M'badouma advocates for better knowledge of Chinese media practices and codes by African journalists.
- The book explores opportunities and challenges in Sino-African media cooperation.
