Journalists and Diplomats

From Chengdu, China Paul Simon writes:"I have never had the pleasure of meeting Jay Mathews of the Washington Post. I have met Mr. Pomfret, the current Post reporter in Beijing. His wife happens to be from Kunming in my district. Diplomats and reporters have a special relationship, wherein each knows that the other must preserve his sources and his ability to do his job. Hence, in a place like China, I suspect we are friendly but off the record much more than we are on. The PRC government doesn't seem to care much for foreign journalists or diplomats. I often wonder what they are afraid of; the truth? good relations? their own scandals being exposed? their own citizens finding out something? I guess it is not easy being an autocrat. US embassies and consulates almost always have a press spokesman or public affairs officer to do the "on the record" stuff. If other Foreign Service Officers give an on the record interview, someone from the Public Affairs Office should be present.

My experience is that most journalists have been very good at playing by the rules of 'on the record', 'off the record', 'deep background', 'not for attribution', etc.Speaking of on the record interviews, I will be on the cover of Chongqing Today magazine next month, although I bet this (mandarin language) publication isn't on the reading list at WAIS......"

My request: Can you e-mail me the cover story? If you have an English translation, so much the better. If not, I will have someone here translate it.

Ronald Hilton - 2/9/02