Nearly 100 journalists from over 50 countries and regions have gathered in Jiangsu for the 2026 Belt and Road Journalists Forum. What do they expect to find? What do they want to share?

According to the All-China Journalists Association, the forum — now in its ninth edition since 2017 — upholds the Silk Road spirit of "peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit." International guests will visit five cities — Nanjing, Suzhou, Changzhou, Nantong and Lianyungang — for field research.

For many first-time visitors, this journey is a "dream come true." Some want to hear the story of John Rabe from the Chinese perspective. Some describe the gathering as "a big family" of journalists worldwide. Some emphasize that the final filter of journalism must be human.

With pens as bridges and cameras as media, they see not only the real China, but also what they have in common — the starting point of mutual understanding, and the deep foundation of the Belt and Road Initiative.