On Friday, October 17 AmCham-China host a panel discussion on the media¡¯s changing perception of China at the China World Hotel. Five top-tier correspondents and media experts shared their views on the changing media landscape in light of this year¡¯s earthquake, the Tibetan riots, the Olympics and a number of other events that have shaped the way the country is portrayed. The panel included Yang Rui,  host of CCTV¡¯s Dialogue; Melinda Liu, Beijing bureau chief of Newsweek magazine, Li Xin, English desk editor for Caijing Magazine; James Fallows, The Atlantic Monthly¡¯s Beijing-based correspondent; and New Yorker Magazine China correspondent Evan Osnos.

The wide-ranging discussion covered the influence of the internet on how the media responds to events in China as well as changes over the last several decades in journalists¡¯ access to ¡°average¡± Chinese citizens and the government. A topic of great debate was the role of Fenqing, or China¡¯s "angry youth," in society. The group, which is often cited in domestic and international media reports is either a dangerous force, or a deeply misunderstood subculture in China, depending on whom one listens to.

About 40 AmCham-China members and guests attended the event, which was followed by a reception with delicious finger food, where attendees mingled with the panelists. AmCham-China¡¯s Vice President of Communications Matt Wisla moderated the event, which was hosted by the Marketing, Advertising and PR Forum.

To get involved in the Marketing, Advertising and PR Forum forum please contact Naomi Sun by e-mailing Naomi@amcham-china.org.cn