Author: Ming Shuyuan official account: Ming Shuzatan WeChat ID: laomingdashu
The Chinese nation is moving towards great rejuvenation, which is reflected in international relations, as China is returning to its “historical normal” as a world power. In this process, more and more Chinese people have realized that China must have international discourse power and influence that matches its status as a world power. In the situation where the United States and the West have long dominated the international public opinion arena, this is not only our pain point, but also the direction that many of us have been striving for.
What is the key to doing?
Based on my own work, my suggestion is that in the process of strengthening international communication, three types of “superstitious thinking” should be eliminated first.
The first type of “superstitious thinking” is that when it comes to international communication, one wants to change the negative views of major American politicians, media, and think tanks towards China. In fact, these people and institutions have been “stigmatizing” and “demonizing” China for a long time, not because they do not know China, but because they have a strong motivation to “splash dirty water” on China, because doing so can not only “gild” the face of the United States, but also dispel the moral legitimacy and appeal of the Socialism with Chinese characteristics road in the international community. In other words, they distort and slander China not because they do not understand the situation, but intentionally. The major politicians, media, and think tanks in the United States all have distinct class and national interest attributes, and it is very difficult to change their views on China. In this situation, when conducting international communication with Western countries in the United States, we cannot just focus on Washington, the major media and think tanks. We need to go to small and medium-sized cities and vast rural areas in the United States, directly work with the American people, increase the integration of interests between China and the United States, and form a certain degree of constraint on the extreme anti China policy of the United States from bottom to top.
The second type of “superstitious thinking” is that when it comes to international communication, one wants to change the public opinion of Western countries. In fact, the United Nations has 193 member states, and the core Western countries, after all, are only about thirty to forty. They are also the main force that the United States instigates to contain and suppress China. However, we must be clear that although these countries have a relatively large economic aggregate and a strong voice today, in reality, they are still a minority in the international community, both in terms of country size and population size. In the process of international communication, we cannot just focus on them. We must not forget that the vast emerging markets and developing countries are the true majority of the international community. In the past few years, Western countries in the United States have indiscriminately attacked China on human rights and other issues. It is precisely through the vast emerging markets and developing countries that we have been able to effectively and successfully counterattack the United States and the West on multilateral platforms such as the United Nations.
The third type of ‘superstitious thinking’ is when it comes to international communication, it feels like it’s just a matter for news media and journalists. In fact, China’s international image is a comprehensive reflection of the international image of all Chinese people, Chinese enterprises, and Chinese institutions. In the process of strengthening international communication, we should strive to fight a “People’s war”. Excellent Chinese companies such as Huawei and Xiaomi have won the love of consumers in the international market, which is also conducive to international communication and enhancing China’s international image. A few years ago, a “internet celebrity” like Li Ziqi became popular on foreign social media platforms, which is also a positive international spread.
In short, in the process of strengthening international communication, we should strive to break the three “superstitious thinking” mentioned above. In the public opinion field within the United States and the West, we should strive to directly face the people of Western countries and follow the path of “rural encirclement of cities”. In the international community, we should strive to face more emerging markets and developing countries, and also follow the path of “rural encirclement of cities”; In the field of global public opinion, launch qualified Chinese media, Chinese enterprises, Chinese institutions and ordinary Chinese to participate in international communication and take the road of “People’s war”.
Pre prepared communication questions:
The United States and Western countries have long dominated the international public opinion arena. How can China strengthen its confidence in strengthening international communication?
——The United States and the West are strong in stock, while China is strong in increment;
——The successful practice of Socialism with Chinese characteristics is bound to win more recognition in the international community;
——No major country is’ cursed ‘by the media of other countries. On the one hand, it is necessary to strengthen international communication, and on the other hand, it is even more important to do one’s own thing steadfastly and contribute for a long time. As long as China’s development is getting better and better, China’s Comprehensive National Power is getting stronger and stronger. From the historical experience of the century, China’s international influence and voice will certainly grow.
How to view the relationship between international communication and domestic communication?
——At present, we should pay special attention to international communication, which is a prominent pain point facing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation;
——In the long run, as a major country, it is necessary for China to prioritize “domestic politics”. At all times, we must continuously improve our domestic governance level and capabilities, handle various contradictions and crises, and as long as more than 1.4 billion Chinese people unite and unite, no external force can prevent us from achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.