Experts gather in Beijing to discuss how to improve China’s int'l communication strategy

(ECNS) -- A seminar focusing on how to improve Beijing's international communication capacity to better tell China's story was held online Friday.

Over 30 experts from the media industry, think tanks, and Chinese universities participated in the seminar.

A well-known city for its rich historical legacy, Beijing has become the primary platform to showcase China to the world.

Beijing has always been the "first window" onto Chinese culture as well as at the forefront of promoting exchanges among Chinese and foreign civilizations, said Wu Qingcai, editor in chief of China News Network.

International communication experts should promote excellent traditional Chinese culture while making innovations in communication forms, for example, by further extracting the essence of Chinese culture and showcasing it through short videos, said Wu, adding that some values within Chinese culture that can be used for reference by other civilizations should be spread.

"As the cultural calling card of China, Beijing plays a significant role in promoting Chinese civilization and displaying the national image of the country, while   spreading stories of China," said Zhang Shuhui, vice president of the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Improving the international communication capacity and promoting Beijing's capability in spreading its culture requires universities in the capital and scientific research institutions to do more in talent training and culture communication studies, Zhang said.

At present, the rapid development of new media and the wide application of new communication technologies promote the continuous innovation of international communication methods. Especially, social media platforms, short videos, and artificial intelligence are increasingly becoming important tools to enhance international communication capacity.

According to Ren Mengshan from Communication University of China, the change of information production mode against the background of digital cultural economy is bound to provide more possibilities for international communication as well as the promotion of Beijing's city brand.

Shenyang, a professor of the College of Journalism and Communication, Tsinghua University, said that the introduction and application of Metauniverse has brought about changes in the international communication status of Beijing. He also suggested the city could hold global skill contests in virtual reality.

Experts also suggested creating widely-popularized short videos and making use of social platforms to tell the story of Beijing and China.