The Zhejiang University International Communication Doctoral Forum officially opened on the morning of November 10 at the Zijingang Campus in Hangzhou, attracting leading experts, scholars, and doctoral students in journalism, communication, and related disciplines from around the world. The forum, themed Challenges and Opportunities in International Communication, focused on key topics such as digital communication, new media platforms, and cultural exchange. It provided participants with an academic platform for collaboration and exchange, aiming to advance the construction of an independent knowledge system in international communication.
At the opening ceremony, Professor Wu Fei, Deputy Director of the Humanities Division at Zhejiang University, delivered a welcome address. He expressed gratitude to the Graduate School of Zhejiang University and the College of Media and International Culture for their support of the forum. He also extended heartfelt thanks to distinguished guests, including Liu Peng, Editor-in-Chief of Journalist, Duan Jiping, Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Journalism and Communication, Li Lei, Deputy Editor of News Writing, Yu Shujuan, Deputy Editor of Nanjing Social Sciences, and Guo Tianzhen, Associate Editor of Science and Publishing, as well as Professor Liao Shengqing from the School of Journalism at Fudan University. Wu emphasized the cutting-edge nature and importance of international communication education in today's global context, encouraging doctoral students to explore innovative developments in international communication from cross-regional and interdisciplinary perspectives.
Professor Xia Qunke, Dean of the Graduate School at Zhejiang University, highlighted in his speech the university's commitment to enhancing doctoral students' international capabilities and academic support through initiatives like the Qiushi Rising Star and Qiushi Flying Eagle programs. He emphasized that the forum's theme closely aligns with the development trends of international communication, particularly against the backdrop of a complex global public opinion environment. The forum aims to inspire researchers to innovate in communication strategies and pathways, thus contributing to China's disciplinary advancement in international communication.
Wang Qingwen, Party Secretary of the College of Media and International Culture, expressed strong support for the development of the international communication discipline. In today's rapidly changing global landscape, the importance of international communication has become more pronounced. Quoting President Xi Jinping, Wang noted that the profound changes in the current international and domestic landscape have created unprecedentedly complex challenges in the ideological domain. Diverse ideological and cultural forces are increasingly interacting, converging, and clashing, highlighting the strategic role of ideological and cultural power in comprehensive national strength. Despite China's significant rise in comprehensive national power, the international discourse remains dominated by the West, with widespread political rumors and misinformation undermining China's international image and voice. Wang stressed that building, developing, and innovating international communication is not only a critical means to enhance the country's image but also a key strategy for advancing Chinese culture globally.
Professor Fang Xingdong, Dean of the College of Media and International Culture, announced the launch of the Handbook of International Communication and the journal International Communication Review. Fang elaborated on the critical role of international communication in expanding journalism and communication studies. He emphasized that by fostering the growth of the international communication discipline, the College of Media and International Culture aims to achieve broader strategic development and resource expansion. Fang underscored the need to integrate industry demands, cutting-edge technology, and practical international communication experiences to ensure the discipline remains relevant and application-oriented. This practical approach will enhance the discipline's adaptability to global communication needs and create new opportunities for academic development and social impact.
In a keynote speech titled Theoretical Innovations and Practical Developments in International Communication in 2024, Professor Liao Shengqing of Fudan University's School of Journalism analyzed the latest advancements in international communication theory and practice. Liao noted that China is actively promoting international communication at the national, media, and corporate levels but needs deeper exploration in areas such as strategic communication, empirical research, and interdisciplinary practices. He particularly highlighted the rise of digital platforms in international communication, pointing to generative AI and the Smart Digital China phenomenon as new opportunities for reshaping China's national image. Liao argued that the digital space is transforming the international communication landscape, bringing greater interactivity and participation while driving cross-modal and cross-spatial communication methods. He suggested that China's international communication efforts require a multi-level strategic framework and strengthened collaboration with international organizations to address challenges in digital governance and provide practical solutions to global political uncertainties.
In an academic presentation titled Anchoring Centers, Noise, and Transformation, Professor Hong Yu, Vice Dean of the College of Media and International Culture, explored the question, What comes after the World Information and Communication Order? Drawing from the multiple relationships within the field of communication studies, Hong examined the global communication landscape during the late 20th century, a period marked by the decline of Western welfare states and post-colonial nations, as well as the collapse of the Soviet Union and Eastern European communist regimes. These shifts significantly influenced the evolution of global communication.
Hong further analyzed the changes in the world order, noting that the Western-dominated international communication system expanded and solidified by the end of the 20th century, giving Western narratives a dominant position in the global communication framework. Against this backdrop, she stressed the urgent need for international communication research to re-evaluate its theoretical frameworks and practical approaches, advocating for the construction of a more diverse and equitable global communication order.
The forum successfully facilitated interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration, providing a robust academic foundation for advancing the international communication discipline and fostering new directions for global communication studies.