I grew up in New York City in the late '70s, at a time when U.S. - China relations were something that was on the front page of The New York Times on a regular basis.

Quote by John Pomfret

Topics: John Pomfret Quotes

I was posted to China in the summer of 1988, which was the greatest time...

I was posted to China in the summer of 1988, which was the greatest time...

In some ways the domestic reporting is a lot easier because Americans will talk to...

In some ways the domestic reporting is a lot easier because Americans will talk to...

Whereas with foreign coverage there's a much broader disconnect between you and your audience.

Whereas with foreign coverage there's a much broader disconnect between you and your audience.

When I see somebody being mistreated, my eyes tear up and I want to stop...

When I see somebody being mistreated, my eyes tear up and I want to stop...

But on the other hand, in the midst of the chaos, you find normal people....

But on the other hand, in the midst of the chaos, you find normal people....

Srebrenica was a horrendous war crime and it had to be uncovered.

Srebrenica was a horrendous war crime and it had to be uncovered.

Working overseas is more difficult in that it's much more complicated to get people to...

Working overseas is more difficult in that it's much more complicated to get people to...

My main form of transportation at that time was a bicycle, because bicycles could move...

My main form of transportation at that time was a bicycle, because bicycles could move...

I've been shot at on numerous occasions.

I've been shot at on numerous occasions.

A lot of times when we work overseas we tend to put the experience of...

A lot of times when we work overseas we tend to put the experience of...

The work is a calling. It demands that type of obsession.

The work is a calling. It demands that type of obsession.

I think to a certain extent in Bosnia and among the Hutus in Rwanda and...

I think to a certain extent in Bosnia and among the Hutus in Rwanda and...

I had my life threatened by Bosnian Serbs on numerous occasions.

I had my life threatened by Bosnian Serbs on numerous occasions.

One of the problems that we have as American journalists is that we bring the...

One of the problems that we have as American journalists is that we bring the...

The one indication that I got that I was doing the right job in Bosnia...

The one indication that I got that I was doing the right job in Bosnia...

I think that's the main threat in Bosnia and Rwanda and Zaire. There doesn't seem...

I think that's the main threat in Bosnia and Rwanda and Zaire. There doesn't seem...

And when they do spin out of control there are important ramifications that affect America,...

And when they do spin out of control there are important ramifications that affect America,...

Good journalism, I think, represents life and if you try to organize something too neatly...

Good journalism, I think, represents life and if you try to organize something too neatly...

For me the much more significant question is what did the Americans do, if anything,...

For me the much more significant question is what did the Americans do, if anything,...

I went back to the States and started at a small newspaper in Riverside County,...

I went back to the States and started at a small newspaper in Riverside County,...