In a year marked by significant commemorations and historical milestones, China Daily journalist Yan An embarked on an extraordinary nationwide reporting journey throughout 2025. Her professional odyssey spanned from the strategic border city of Khorgos in China’s Northwest to the dynamic southern metropolis of Shenzhen, with each assignment presenting unique challenges that tested her journalistic capabilities and personal resilience.
The most transformative moment occurred unexpectedly in Yan’an—a city that serendipitously shares her name. This historic destination, once a gathering point for youth determined to save China during the Japanese aggression era, became the backdrop for her professional epiphany. Rather than merely completing tasks and passing professional tests, Yan An discovered journalism’s deeper purpose: fully engaging with and documenting the ‘happening now’—those immediate, unfolding stories that define our contemporary experience.
Her journey represents a new generation of Chinese journalists who combine traditional reporting values with modern storytelling approaches. The cross-country expedition highlights how today’s media professionals navigate between China’s rapidly developing urban centers and regions of historical significance, finding relevant narratives that connect past, present, and future.
This account offers insights into the evolving role of journalism in capturing China’s complex social fabric, demonstrating how personal journeys can illuminate broader national stories. The experience underscores how physical travel and professional development can converge to create meaningful journalistic perspectives.