I was fourteen when Kissinger made his secret trip to China, and then there was subsequently Nixon's trip to China, and I was very much seized with an interest in China.

Quote by John Pomfret

Topics: John Pomfret Quotes

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

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

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...

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...

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,...

Stanford had no journalism program so I just learned by doing, effectively.

Stanford had no journalism program so I just learned by doing, effectively.

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....

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...

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,...

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...

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.

The desire to become a journalist came really because I very much like living abroad,...

The desire to become a journalist came really because I very much like living abroad,...

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 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...

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...

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...

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...

I've been shot at on numerous occasions.

I've been shot at on numerous occasions.

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,...

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

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

I think some of the best reporters are the ones who can really illustrate the...

I think some of the best reporters are the ones who can really illustrate the...