November Newsletter: Global Business Journalism triumphs with Washington forum, Malaysian princess visits, UN youth competition and more
- Rick Dunham
- 2 days ago
- 9 min read
GLOBAL BUSINESS JOURNALISM NEWSLETTER
November 2025
Edited by HAN VU
Global Business Journalism reporter
This month, the Global Business Journalism community showcased its commitment to dialogue, education and global engagement. From Washington to Beijing, GBJ students, faculty and alumni took part in high-level discussions shaping the future of journalism, international cooperation and youth development. Highlights include the 2025 Tsinghua Business Journalism Forum in Washington, a royal visit strengthening Malaysia–China educational ties, and GBJ professor Lee Miller’s role as lead judge at the UN Youth Dialogue. We also revisited 50 years of China–U.S. relations through an insightful guest lecture, reminding us of the importance of context, curiosity and cross-cultural understanding in a rapidly changing world.
1. 2025 Tsinghua Business Journalism Forum held in Washington, D.C.
At the 18th Tsinghua Business Journalism Forum, Chinese and U.S. media leaders warned that rising geopolitical uncertainty and rapid advances in AI are heightening the stakes for accurate, cross-border economic reporting. During discussions at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., they stressed the urgent need for deeper cooperation between journalists in both countries.
It was the second consecutive year that the forum — GBJ's most important annual professional event — took place at the National Press Club, a storied journalism venue in the United States. Senior editors and reporters from 25 major news outlets discussed how polarization and misinformation are reshaping global narratives amid the growth of AI and social media saturation.
Speakers at the Nov. 12 forum stressed that China–U.S. economic ties remain under pressure from shifting trade policy, supply-chain instability and intensifying technological competition. Professor Hang Min of Tsinghua University emphasized the urgency of dialogue, saying it is “extremely necessary” for Chinese and American journalists to meet face-to-face during a period of technological change and global instability. Analysts added that tariffs, sanctions and public sentiment in key industries are likely to shape the next phase of bilateral economic policymaking.
Media leaders from BusinessWeek, CQ Roll Call, Bankrate, Caijing and Yicai cautioned that the speed of digital news cycles can undermine the depth and clarity of complex economic reporting. They warned that reactive or crowd-driven coverage risks distorting public understanding at a time when audiences are seeking stronger explanations of policies that affect global markets and technology competition.
A second major theme was the future of journalism education. Panelists called for stronger international partnerships, interdisciplinary training and updated curricula to prepare reporters for global issues such as climate change, digital finance, misinformation and artificial intelligence.
Rick Dunham, co-director of the Global Business Journalism program, noted the significance of the gathering, saying it was remarkable that media leaders from both countries could meet and speak candidly at such a pivotal moment.
The Tsinghua Business Journalism Forum has become a key platform linking academia and industry. Participants agreed that sustained China-U.S. dialogue is essential for strengthening financial journalism and improving public understanding in an increasingly polarized information environment.
— Item written by Faezeh Mirzabeh
2. Malaysian Princess Tengku Faizwa engages with GBJ students in Beijing
A meeting between a Malaysian princess and students at Tsinghua University has highlighted new pathways for strengthening educational ties between Malaysia and China.
The luncheon, held on Nov. 19, featured Princess Tengku Faizwa Razif — a Malaysian princess and member of the Selangor royal family — and Malaysian students, including Global Business Journalism students Sujie Tan and Lynn Chua.
A key focus of the discussion was broadening opportunities for high-achieving Malaysian students to pursue studies in China. This included potential increases in scholarships and foundation support to facilitate academic exchange, as well as efforts to strengthen educational pathways between Malaysia, China, and the broader Asian region.
Princess Tengku Faizwa shared insights from her work in public service, education, and initiatives supporting female entrepreneurs. In turn, the student representatives described their academic experiences at Tsinghua.
The engagement, which also included students from other schools within the university, served as a platform for cross-cultural dialogue. It underscored Tsinghua University's ongoing commitment to global engagement and the role of educational cooperation in fostering Malaysia-China relations within the academic community.
— Item written by Milena Kuzhakova
GBJ Professor Lee Miller serves as lead media judge for UN youth competition
Global Business Journalism Professor Lee Miller served as the lead media judge for the United Nations' annual speech competition for students in Beijing's Chaoyang District.
Among the event organizers was GBJ alumna Katherin Thouvenin of France, a GBJ honors graduate in 2022, in her role as communications assistant at the UN Resident Coordinator's Office in China.
More than 4,000 middle- and high-school students participated in this year's Youth Dialogue on Sustainable Development, with 30 students from six teams making the finals on Nov. 15. Each team gave a 10-minute presentation on how key initiatives of the UN can be put into practice.
Among the presentation topics were protecting the marine ecosystem, clean water and sanitation, minimizing food waste, encouraging sports to boost health and creative ways to improve communities for the elderly. While most students are Chinese, there were international representatives from several nations, including India, Russia and Canada.
"The creativity, effort and overall presentations were outstanding, particularly because the students are so young," said Professor Miller, who is also a Senior Editor for Bloomberg News. "It's exciting to see firsthand the levels of enthusiasm and talent in our next generation of leaders."
— Item written by Katherin Thouvenin
From Nixon to Trump: GBJ lecture revisits 50 years of China-U.S. relations
China and the United States have entered “the most volatile period since normalization,” veteran correspondent Terril Yue Jones told Global Business Journalism students during a November 17 lecture at Tsinghua University.
Jones, an instructor at the Keck Center for International and Strategic Studies and a former Reuters political correspondent in Beijing, featured as guest speaker on Professor Rick Dunham’s Hot Topics in Global Economy class. His talk, “China-U.S. Relations From Nixon to Trump,” traced the evolution of the bilateral relationship over nearly 50 years, from economic optimism to rising strategic competition.
Jones recounted how American companies rushed into China during the reform era, often agreeing to demanding joint-venture terms in order to access a vast potential market. Even disruptions after the 1989 crackdown were short-lived as economic interests drove renewed engagement.
By the 2000s, he said, China had become a global manufacturing center and home to the world’s largest banks. Yet longstanding tensions persisted, including disputes over human rights, cybersecurity and intellectual property.
The most dramatic shift, Jones said, came during Donald Trump’s presidency, which introduced tariff wars, sanctions and a sharp break from decades of bipartisan stability. While some tariffs have recently been paused, he warned that the relationship “remains extremely fragile,” especially as China gains leverage in key technologies and rare earth minerals.
Jones also addressed the U.S. debate over TikTok, saying most American users “don’t care” about security concerns despite growing political scrutiny. “It’s addiction, not geopolitics,” he warned.
In a Q&A session, students asked how China’s relations with Japan and South Korea might influence Washington. Jones said regional politics could increasingly shape the broader U.S.-China dynamic as governments reassess alliances.
He ended by reminding students that they are entering the field at a pivotal moment. “You will witness what China becomes in the next 50 years, and what that means for the world,” he said.
— Item written by Han Vu
Inaugural Tobey Award for visual storytelling won by Reuters team
Reuters journalists are the first recipients of the inaugural Pamela Tobey Award for Excellence in Visual Storytelling honoring GBJ visiting professor Pam Tobey.
The winners were announced at the National Press Club on Nov. 12 by National Press Club Journalism Institute president Ed Kelley, the dean emeritus of the Gaylord School of Journalism at the University of Oklahoma. GBJ co-directors Hang Min and Rick Dunham and journalism school international administrator Chengzhang Li were on hand for the ceremony. The National Press Club Journalism Institute is administering the award .
The award recognizes work that pushes the boundaries of compelling and creative storytelling through decisive design choices and includes a $1,000 cash prize.
The winning project, "The unexploded bombs of Gaza," was produced by Emma Farge, Adolfo Arranz, Han Huang, Simon Scarr, and Nidal al-Mughrabi. Judges commended the team for its powerful use and balance of illustrations, photography, color, data, and text. They especially praised the motion created through powerful visuals, as well as the ability to show scale without heavy reliance on traditional photos or video.
"The risk of unexploded ordnance in Gaza is both a data story and a deeply human one," said Scarr, deputy global graphics editor at Reuters. "Our team combined precise technical information graphics, detailed illustrations, and ground-level photography to take readers on a journey from the types of bombs in the air to the dangers of living among unexploded ordnance on the ground. This award validates the discipline required to marry data integrity with emotional resonance, a reminder that the most effective visual storytelling doesn't choose between accuracy and impact — it demands both."
Volunteer judges included award namesake Pamela Tobey, a distinguished graphics editor formerly of The Washington Post and a professor of data visualization at Tsinghua University; Chris Alcantara, visual journalist at ProPublica; and Hannah Dormido, graphics reporter and cartographer at The Washington Post.
The judges also selected two runners up: The Philadelphia Inquirer, "The Northeast Philly plane crash changed five neighbors' lives forever"ProPublica, Global Water Supplies Threatened by Overmining of Aquifers: New Study. A special citation went to an outstanding student project from the University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication. The project, "Found in translation," explored the cultural, economic, and political currents shaping the lives of African immigrants in Eastern Iowa.
"This year's award submissions were all incredible examples of the power of visual storytelling. I'm grateful for the opportunity to recognize such impactful visual storytelling," said Tobey. "The Reuters team delivered an exceptional, well-designed package. From the information provided to the illustrations and backgrounds, their decisive design choices made the story come alive and conveyed critical information in a meaningful way that sticks with audiences."
This new award was made possible through the generosity of Tobey and her husband, Rick Dunham, a former president of both the National Press Club and the Institute. The award honors Tobey's cutting-edge work in visual journalism and her commitment to advancing innovative storytelling.
The judges noted the thoughtful design that went into the work of the honorees and other entries:
The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Ukrainian Service project, "In the Russian penal colony, they called him Dr. Evil," an investigation into Ukrainian prisoners of war who were tormented by a sadistic doctor.
To contribute to the Pamela Tobey Award for Excellence in Visual Storytelling, please use this link. Contributions up to $5,000 made between now and Dec. 31 will be matched by Professor Dunham.
7. Early application deadline for GBJ is approaching
The first big deadline looms! The end of the calendar year is the end of the first round of applications to the Global Business Journalism program. It's also the cutoff for Chinese government scholarships.
So be forewarned: Your chances of getting a full scholarship for the 2026-2027 academic year decline significantly if you don't get your applications in by the end of December.
The takeaway: Apply now!
Our website has a wealth of information on the application process, the program (of course) and FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS about GBJ. There’s also a link to the Tsinghua graduate admissions page. It’s an all-in-one GBJ admissions center.
If you have any friends who are university seniors or mid-career journalists who might be interested in a multicultural experience in the top English language journalism master's program in China, let them know about GBJ.
Check out our latest news updates from GlobalBusinessJournalism.com
Here are some stories we've published on our website in the past month, in case you've missed them:
Global Business Journalism Lecture Series
Zoon Ahmed Khan: Pakistan’s geopolitical balancing act — Navigating U.S.-China ties amid shifting South Asia dynamics
Huang Shan: Forget tariffs — The real China-U.S. war is a battle for tech's soul
ICFJ's Patrick Butler explains disruptive power of non-traditional digital "news creators"
Terril Jones: U.S.–China tensions are “neither inevitable nor permanent”
Other headlines
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