Canadian media chief highlights exchanges and cooperation

Donovan Martin SR., CEO and editor-in-chief of Canada’s Daily Scrum News, speaks during an interview with Shenzhen Daily. Zhao Xiaochen

Closer cultural exchanges, technology sharing and economic collaboration between China and Canada could yield mutual benefits and win-win results for both sides, according to Donovan Martin SR., CEO and editor-in-chief of Canada’s Daily Scrum News. During his visit to Shenzhen, Martin highlighted the considerable potential for cooperation between the two countries.

Martin traveled to Shenzhen to attend the Asia-Pacific Media Forum, which will officially open Sept. 5 in the city. In an exclusive interview with Shenzhen Daily, he shared his insights on China-Canada relations, industrial cooperation and media exchanges, while speaking highly of Shenzhen’s advanced manufacturing strength and livability. When assessing a city’s development, he said he first looks at “the quality of life” and whether people are happy living there, alongside its technological innovation and industrial vitality.

Video by Shao Jingfeng 

Shenzhen stands out not only for its technology and infrastructure, but also for its quality of life and the way it incorporates green spaces into the urban environment. Describing Shenzhen as “an amazing city,” Martin said the city’s reputation as a global technology hub is well deserved, and its balanced approach to urban development and environmental protection offers valuable lessons for urban development worldwide.

“You could build this beautiful city and still make use of your natural resources,” he said, adding that cities can achieve coordinated economic and ecological development through effective governance, sustainable development practices and technological innovation. He also said Shenzhen’s combination of extensive commercial development and abundant green space was both unusual and impressive among major cities worldwide.

For Martin, urban green spaces are far more than environmental assets. They serve as vital public spaces where residents can relax, spend time with their families and escape some of the pressure of fast-paced urban life. He stressed that easy access to high-quality green spaces throughout Shenzhen greatly enhances the city’s livability and residents’ well-being.

Martin also shared his insightful views on innovation in journalism in the digital era. While he welcomes advances in AI, he insisted that technology can never replace the human element of journalism. A genuine understanding of a city and the nuances of its culture can only be gained through firsthand observation and face-to-face interactions, which provide a solid foundation for credible international journalism.

“AI will never replace human journalism,” he said, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of human interaction and fact-checking by journalists in ensuring objective and authentic international reporting.

Video by Lin Yahui 

During his visit to BYD’s manufacturing base, Martin explored opportunities for practical industrial cooperation between China and Canada. He spoke highly of BYD’s new energy SUVs, noting that the vehicles could be well suited to Canada’s snowy and frigid winters.“The SUVs they produce would go really well in Canada. I'm looking at the winter weather — we do have a lot of snow. And those vehicles would perform really well in such conditions.”

“Twelve minutes of fully rechargeable — that's pretty impressive. Such vehicle performance will go over really well in Canada’s frigid climate. I know temperature there can drop to minus 30 degrees Celsius. There are a lot of opportunities for sharing technology back and forth between the two countries.”

Talking about China-Canada relations, Martin said bilateral cultural and knowledge exchanges are key to achieving mutually beneficial development.“When you get a chance to exchange culture and exchange knowledge, it's always a good thing. Speaking from our country’s perspective, China and Canada has always had a good relationship,” he said. 

“We have seen the lifting of tariffs on Canadian canola and wheat, along with other cooperative projects. This is of great significance. Canada has a strong Chinese community, and we have always embraced and valued this community. Such bilateral cooperation only benefits the people of both countries, boosts the economies of both sides, and achieves a win-win situation,” he added.