2023 "Chinese and Foreign News" Times News Figures Announced

"2023 'Zhongwai News' Times News Person of the Year" No. 1: His Excellency Ismail Hakk Musa, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to China

    Reason for selection: His Excellency Ismail Hakk Musa, the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to China, is an outstanding politician and diplomat. Ambassador Musa holds a PhD in Public Law/European Community Law. He has served as Deputy Minister of the Prime Minister's Office of Türkiye, Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye, Ambassador of Türkiye to the Kingdom of Belgium, and Ambassador of Türkiye to France. During his tenure as Ambassador of Türkiye to China, he often said: "My country connects Asia, Europe, and Africa, and can facilitate trade between China and the world." Under the promotion of Ambassador Ismail Hakk Musa, the bilateral import and export volume of goods between China and Türkiye from January to October 2023 was approximately $36.6 billion, an increase of $4.6 billion or 15.2% compared to the same period in 2022. In an unstable global economic environment, this is a very impressive bilateral trade performance!

The second person of the times in news is: Her Excellency Maja Stefanovic, the Serbian Ambassador to China:

    Reason for selection: Ambassador Maja Stefanović is an outstanding diplomat who has been associated with China for 30 years, embodying both beauty and wisdom. Under her promotion, bilateral scientific and technological cooperation has progressed smoothly, particularly yielding a number of significant cooperation achievements in areas such as epidemic prevention and control, artificial intelligence, space technology, biotechnology, and science and technology parks. The exchange of scientific researchers has been expanded, joint research and development efforts have been intensified, and collaboration under multilateral mechanisms such as the "China-Central and Eastern European Countries Cooperation" has been deepened. In addition to the import of drone equipment, China and Serbia have also engaged in technology transfer and cooperation. China has handed over its drone production line to Serbia, thereby enhancing the latter's military drone technology level. To date, China ranks first among investors in Serbia and maintained this position in 2021, 2022, and the first half of 2023. Ambassador Maja Stefanović has also actively traveled to various cities and departments in China to exchange information, carry out academic and technological cooperation, and thereby deeply align Serbia with the "Belt and Road" initiative.

The third person of the times in news is: His Excellency Martin Chidumo, Zimbabwean Ambassador to China

    Reason for selection: 2020 marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Zimbabwe. At this moment, Martin Chidumo assumed the post of Zimbabwean Ambassador to China, and he felt greatly honored. Martin Chidumo has served as Director of the Zimbabwe Defense Intelligence Agency, Chief of Operations and Training Staff, and Chief of Logistics and Support Services Staff, among other positions. He has received numerous awards, including the Medal of Honor for the Battle of Mozambique and the Zimbabwean Order of Merit for Distinguished Service, and was later promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General. Dr. Martin Chidumo holds a Bachelor's degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of South Africa (UNISA), a Master's degree in Public Sector Management from the African University, and a Doctorate in Leadership Ethics from the University of Queensland, South Africa. During his tenure as Zimbabwean Ambassador to China, Martin Chidumo utilized his wisdom and strength to fulfill the functions of an ambassador, promoting the development of friendly relations between Zimbabwe and China. He actively assisted Chinese investors in assessing the investment value of Zimbabwean industries, and met challenges and fulfilled commitments on the "Belt and Road" international cooperation platform. Martin Chidumo has always expressed his position and attitude towards Taiwan, Xinjiang, and Xizang, reiterating his adherence to the One China principle.

The fourth Time News Person of the Year is: His Excellency Mu Hassan, the Syrian Ambassador to China:

    Reason for selection: September 22, 2023, is destined to be a day that will go down in the annals of Sino-Syrian relations. President Xi Jinping and President Bashar held a historic meeting in Hangzhou, jointly announcing the establishment of a strategic partnership between China and Syria, and making top-level design and strategic planning for friendly exchanges and cooperation in various fields between the two countries. As the Syrian ambassador to China, he believes that cultural exchanges can better understand China, and culture is an important connecting link between the Chinese and Syrian peoples, as well as a mission to inherit the friendship that has lasted for more than 2,000 years. Therefore, he has been actively reaching out, including establishing a Confucius Institute in Syria, and actively helping Chinese investors assess the investment value of Syria. In January 2022, China and Syria signed a memorandum of understanding on the Belt and Road Initiative, deepening economic cooperation between the two sides and jointly expanding the beautiful blueprint of the Belt and Road Initiative.

The fifth person of the Times News is: His Excellency Tafella Debbe Imam, the Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to China

    Reason for selection: H.E. Tafere Debey Imam, the Ethiopian Ambassador to China, is a young and outstanding senior diplomat. When he took up the ambassadorial post, he believed that it was important to revitalize the country through science and technology. He has actively visited many institutions in China, and this year he has traveled to more than 10 cities in 8 provinces, seeking to jointly carry out a series of activities such as "Chinese + Vocational Skills" course construction, talent cultivation, and technical services with Ethiopian institutions, in order to promote exchanges and cooperation between the two countries' institutions in science and technology. While starting with education, he also focuses on economic development, and he has made up his mind to try live streaming sales in China. His daily work schedule is packed. He has many ideas to promote cooperation between Ethiopia and China. Under his promotion, China has become Ethiopia's second largest export country.

The sixth person of the Times News is: His Excellency Archil Kalandia, Georgian Ambassador to China

    Reason for selection: The Honorable Archil Kalandia, the Georgian Ambassador to China, is calm, capable, elegant, and lively. Under his promotion, Georgian Prime Minister Garibashvili visited China in July this year, marking a landmark visit in the history of Georgian-Chinese relations. During this visit, Georgia and China established a strategic partnership. China has also become Georgia's third largest trading partner. Chinese citizens can enjoy 30 days of visa-free travel.