Forum gathers experts to share knowledge on modernization

Around 200 experts and scholars from government institutions, universities, media outlets and think tanks gathered at a forum focused on "telling the story of Chinese modernization" in Shanghai on Thursday.

The forum, co-hosted by China International Communications Group and the Central Institute of Socialism, was organized to innovate the international image communication of the Communist Party of China.

Hu Zhaoming, director-general of the Bureau of Public Information and Communication for the International Department of the CPC, said enhancing the international communication of the Party's image is imperative despite unprecedented challenges.

"The international communication of CPC's image used to face 'invisible obstacles' set by the West-dominant international discourse," Hu said. "Now the invisible obstacles have turned into 'a tangible iron wall', which is unprecedented since China's reform and opening-up."

While theoretical innovation to construct China's own discourse is key to break down the "wall", the Chinese path to modernization is one major theoretical innovation of late, Hu said.

Put forward by the CPC during its 20th National Congress in October, the Chinese path to modernization explains how since the founding of New China in 1949, the country has worked the twin miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability. Still ongoing, it is set to lead China to become a fully modernized socialist country by mid-century.

Observers worldwide believe the Chinese path to modernization, especially its guiding philosophies, is inspiring other nations to seek their own development paths and the world to pursue a shared brighter future. 

Keynote speakers at the forum include Zhao Qizheng, former director of the State Council Information Office, Vladimir Imamovich Norov, former secretary-general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and Zhang Weiwei, director of China Institute, a think tank at Fudan University, shared their understanding of the Chinese path to modernization and best practices for telling stories of relevance to international audiences.

The forum also launched the "CPC International Image Communication Innovation Joint Research Program" to facilitate the sharing of information, resources and achievements by bringing together the latest theoretical research from various institutions.