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opportunity-china.co.uk
December 2014
Reporting FromChina
As awell-known face of SouthAfrican news onETV, John
Bailey reports fromBeijing, a hotbed of international events.
As a foreign correspondent, Bailey always works to a tight
schedule and is constantly on themove. He has been based
inChina for the past six years, with his wifewho is also a
journalist.
OnApril 30th 2014, Bailey hit the street with a very different
objective frommost of the journalists working inChina; the
day hadbeen designated for expats to vote in the SouthAfrian
general election. Bailey arrived early at the embassy inBeijing
withhis crew to delve into the heart of the story. “Twenty years
of democracy in SouthAfrica. That’s what we are celebrating
this year,” Baileymused as he approached voters entering the
embassy. But despite his upbeat demeanor, Bailey says it’s not
easy for foreign journalists inBeijing.
“As a SouthAfrican journalist being out here, you can go
and contact ministers at their offices any time. You can get
responses. Here journalists almost never get a response.
It takesmuch longer.”
“
Twenty yearsof
democracy inSouth
Africa.That’swhatwe
arecelebrating this year
But it’s not just SouthAfrica-based stories that dominateBailey’s busy days.
After reporting from the Embassy, he hopped into a cab to travel to the other side
of Beijing for a fleeting appearance on a radio show.
It had been announced that Nigeria had replaced SouthAfrica as Africa’s
number one economy and, as an expert on the continent in question, Bailey
was invited to give his opinion. After sharing his opinion onNigeria’s progress in
gainingmore aid and international donations, Bailey rushed back to his office
to appear live on ETV to update them on the latest international news affecting
China; namely, themissing flight MH370.
Despite the difficulties that China’s journalistic environment sometimes
causes him, andwhile his day seems hectic, Baileymaintains his passion for the
job and is overjoyed by the fact that each day inChina brings something new for
him both professionally and personally.
Asawell-known faceof SouthAfricannews, JohnBailey reports fromBeijing,ahotbedof international events.
