An "Encouter" with Jing Yidan
May 22, 2015
Peking University, May 13, 2015: On the afternoon of May 11, "An Encounter with Jing Yidan" new book launch and talk show was held at PKU YingJie Exchange Center Sunny Hall. The famous CCTV anchor Jing Yidan released her new book Encounter, in which she looks back upon her 27 years’ career at CCTV. Four celebrities of the press: Jing Yidan, Cui Yongyuan, Shui Junyi and Bai Yansong reunited and shared this moment with a live audience of 700.
During the activity, Jing Yidan referred to the live audience as her readers of Encounter. She said this transformation of the form of address was a new start after her retirement from CCTV. As a well-known anchor and journalist, she has hosted many TV programs during these years, including "Topics in Focus" "Touching China" "Economy 30 Minutes" "Yidan Topics" etc. She chose to end her 27 years of career in CCTV with this book, in which Jing shares her experience in the media, and reveals the social background of Chinese media development. With regard to her perseverance of all these years, Jing commented that "doing things that you enjoy does not need 'perseverance'", and that "touching stories are always waiting for my encounter."
As her good friends and colleagues, Bai Yansong, Cui Yongyuan and Shui Junyi shared their memories about Jing Yidan. "Xiao Shui, Lao Bai and I always reckon Jing as our big sister," said Cui, "whenever I feel upset, or come across problems during my work, I always go to her for advice and gain special and satisfactory solutions from her." Shui recalled a near accident in the live report of Hong Kong's return in 1997, and he is still grateful for Jing's help and consolation on the occasion. Bai quote a well-known saying of Laozi to characterize Jing: "(Natural Law) does no harm and benefits all, (Tao of sages) renders assistance, yet never contends."
The four guests further discussed the new media phenomenon in the age of Internet. Shui said that new media represented the progress of society, Cui focused on the responsibility of individuals granted by new media to record and express their life. Bai pointed out the unchanged principle of media: conscience. Jing, after retired from CCTV, launches her own WeChat platform and continues to teach lessons, dedicating herself to education and public welfare. She reckons her retirement as a new starting point rather than a pause of life, adopting new media to pour her energy to society. Cui approved her adoption of new media and commented, "once a journalist, always a journalist."
"An Encounter with Jing Yidan" lasted about two hours. With the witty and humorous conversations, the guests received hearty laughter and applause from the audience. In the end, the four friends took a group photo together, and a journalist commented that this image would remain in our memory as the representation of that particular media age.
"An Encounter with Jing Yidan" was organized by PKU School of Journalism and Communication, PKU Television Research Center, Beijing Yangtze Culture Media Company and Jingdong Books, co-organized by PKU School of Journalism and Communication Youth League Committee. More than 40 media and press attended and reported this activity.
Written by: Xiao Yunyun
Edited by: Li Ruiqi
Source: PKU News (Chinese) and PKU Youth (Wechat)
