March Newsletter: From AI to global trade wars, GBJ students interact with top international experts
- Rick Dunham
- Apr 3
- 7 min read
Updated: Apr 8
GLOBAL BUSINESS JOURNALISM NEWSLETTER
March 2025
March has seen several highly interesting events and speakers for the first-year GBJ students, both on and off campus. The new professors have also made it halfway into the semester, and settled into the Beijing spring as the weather is getting warmer and the cherry blossoms are blooming.
Admissions for the next batch of GBJ students are also quickly coming to a close, so don’t miss the current GBJ students' social media content about the most frequently asked questions about the program, and what courses not to miss out on when you’re enrolled in the program. But first up, the Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore’s visit to China!
High-profile visit
Heng Swee Keat Keat came to Beijing to discuss current affairs in the Southeast Asian business hub of Singapore in front of a large audience at the renowned Kerry Hotel at the end of March.
Singapore's deputy prime minister attended the event in celebration of the Chinese language news outlet Lianhe Zaobao’s 30th anniversary of its online edition. He discussed healthcare innovations for the elderly and international economic issues. Because Tsinghua School of Journalism and Communication is a partner of Lianhe Zaobao, students and staff were invited to attend the talk. Photos below!
Bakhtawar Tauseef (top right), Cherry Ge and her friend Mingling enjoy the festivities at the Lianhe Zaobao event. (GBJ photos by Elin Joensson)
2. Get to know GBJ's newest professors
Meet Professors Cary O'Reilly and Pam Tobey (GBJ photos by Rick Dunham)
Among the attendees were GBJ’s two newest staff additions, Cary O’Reilly and Pam Tobey. Pam Tobey is an award-winning graphic artist with 30 years of experience at the Washington Post and nine more as visuals director of Beijing Review. Cary O'Reilly is a veteran reporter and editor with extensive experience at Bloomberg News and other business journalism news organizations in Washington, D.C., Switzerland, Japan and Singapore. To introduce them properly to GBJ fans, GBJ reporter Bakhtawar Sana’s wrote profile stories on each of them.
Check out the GBJ website this coming week to read these articles.
3. Global perspectives coming together in one classroom
Mika Hentunen, Grace Shao and Thomas W. Pauken II all discussed hot topics in the news.
GBJ's Hot topics course has also seen many interesting faces in March. From all things AI and how to cover China as a foreign correspondent to understanding U.S. President Donald Trump, Professor Rick Dunham's students have exchanged thoughts with some of the smartest journalists and policy experts out there. This month, Grace Shao, Mika Hentunen and Thomas W. Pauken II all spoke to students interested in current affairs. Read the news articles about each seminar below.
Mika Hentunen:
>>> Mika Hentunen on China's rise — and other stories covered during three decades of global reporting
Grace Shao:
Tom Pauken:
>>> Decoding Trump: Behind the "crazy man" image is a tough negotiator who's not that hard to figure out
4. The Bloomberg way
Iain Wilson and Jessica Yang speaking to students at the Bloomberg Beijing bureau. (GBJ photos by Elin Joensson)
One thing GBJ students can make the most out of during their time enrolled in the program, is meeting people in the journalism industry. During a March visit to Bloomberg’s Beijing bureau, students met with several employees representing different departments at Bloomberg. They all shared their insights into what it’s like working at a top international organization, and their best advice on getting a fulfilling career.
”One thing I would say about career longevity is if you're developing yourself, if you've got a couple of benchmarks that you as an individual hold to your entire career, it will serve you very, very well,” said Iain Wilson, Commodity/Renewable Energy Editor at BloombergNEF.
He also explained that the beauty of working at Bloomberg is that you can move around to different locations.
”That's a really phenomenal thing to do as a journalist, to be able to be exposed to different people, cultures, stories,” he said. ”It's that kind of rejuvenation every five or so years that helps you build a career that, after 25 years, you can look back on and be a little bit proud of what you built.”
Jessica Yang is the sole lawyer working at Bloomberg’s Beijing office and is also a Tsinghua University graduate.
”After my eight years at Bloomberg, I do feel I can contribute a lot by devoting my energy to helping people,” she said. ”Not only to focus on contracts and clients, but to really help people and help the world become a better place, which feels unusual.”
Shuiyu Jing and Zheng Wu, co-workers at Bloomberg. (GBJ photos by Elin Joensson)
Shuiyu Jing is an alumna of Tsinghua’s International Journalism master's program. She’s now working with the credit team at Bloomberg to cover bonds.
She believes working at Bloomberg is a good opportunity for many fresh graduates to explore their personal interests.
”If anyone's interested in the tech industry, you will be given a lot of opportunities to interview the leaders in that company,” she said. ”This deep learning curve is challenging, but I still think it's worth it.”
She also shares an important reminder for career enhancement: ”Be proactive, go out with contacts and try to build networks.”
Zheng Wu had previous experience at The New York Times and the Financial Times, and is now working together with Shuiyu Jing, covering the equity and credit markets. He said the collaboration across the Bloomberg newsroom is highly valued.
”We have many excellent reporters,” he said. ”They work together, they share a lot of tips or ideas, they try to work out things together.”
5. All things AI
Someone who also shared his expertise this month was Professor John Downey of Loughborough University. As a recurring guest at Tsinghua University, he now spoke of AI imaginaries and the future of journalism.
”Does AI help us to produce better, more objective journalism? Or does it mean the rise of automated fake news, which will mislead people?” he asked.
He argues that we're going through a period of a contested AI imaginary in the UK, the U.S. and in Europe. On the one hand, some journalists are worried and concerned about losing their jobs, loss of control and the quality of journalism; thereby leaning toward a dystopian view, according to Downey. On the opposite side, there’s something he calls “techbro utopianism.”
”These are people who are very much attracted to what they perceive as the power of science and technology to solve the world's problems,” he said. ”They also believe in free markets to solve the world's problems, and want basically the state to get out of it.”
Want to read more about John Downey’s research? Here’s a story from one of his previous talks at Tsinghua.
6. Fast -approaching deadline for admissions applications – why you should encourage friends to apply
For anyone thinking about becoming a GBJ student, now is the time to act. The last deadline to send in your application is April 15. If you need some last-minute encouragement, here are two second-year GBJ students' thoughts and reflections about the program.
What part of the program has been most useful to you?
Vicki Chalermlapvoraboon:
I found that the curriculum is tailored for navigating China’s journalism context. I also found connections and a diverse group of friends, which has enriched me in both an educational and a cultural context. I think my experience in China has been enriching thanks to the fact that I chose this specific program.
Tudor Finneran:
GBJ has been fantastic for industry connections, job offers and establishing a strong foundation in China. It's opened doors in three sectors; journalism/media, tech and brand strategy. It's also managed to shift my perspective to think more deeply, or journalistically. From the project work to thesis to discussions... Now I find I am able to think on another level, which is a huge value added.
Why would you recommend others to enroll in the program?
Tudor Finneran:
GBJ is without a doubt the best program in China for those with an interest in business journalism or communications (whilst being up to date and relevant) and in terms of practicality. The modules are selected well to equip us with strong skills later on, but also meet, network and "leverage" GBJ's strong alumni and staff connections. Plus, the staff are exceptional, willing to help both in academic support, but also as a foreign national overcoming the hurdles of China. Good people, great program, excellent location.
Vicki Chalermlapvoraboon:
The program is the gateway to the world of journalism in Asia’s largest economy. It’s the only English-language and international journalism course in China, which is the most prestigious university in the country. Besides that, you get to experience the environment while studying here. There are facilities such as Bloomberg terminals accessible, and it’s a great opportunity to create life-long connections.
7. Catch up on other headlines from GlobalBusinessJournalism.com
Here are some other stories we've published on our website since our last newsletter, in case you've missed them:
GBJ application deadline extended until April 15
Global economics in the time of Trump: Strained ties with allies, trade turbulence and a shifting world order
Student Q&A: Zuza Bialas hopes to learn journalism skills to paint a more accurate portrait of China in global media
Student Q&A: Salisa Vajrabhaya, Thai social media influencer and avid China traveler
Global Business: Is the White House for sale? Elon Musk has an Oval Office invite and the ear of the president after donating more than $270 million to Trump, allies in 2024
Global Business: Yiwu is a one-stop center for small business startups
Journalism Tips: 5 ways every newsroom should be using AI — today
Journalism Tips: 9 ways journalists can seek a respite from the anxieties of today's media world
Thanks for reading the March GBJ newsletter. We'll be back with more news and updates from students, alumni and faculty next month. If you want to be the first to read each GBJ newsletter, subscribe here and receive an email notification when a new newsletter is published.
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