On November 29, the Inauguration Ceremony of Jiangsu Association for the Development of International Communication at Colleges and Universities (“the Association”) and the first meeting of the Association Council were held at Nanjing University. Zhang Aijun, Member of the Standing Committee of Jiangsu Provincial Party Committee and Minister of the Provincial Party Committee’s Publicity Department, and Tan Tieniu, Secretary of the CPC Nanjing University Committee and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, attended the event and unveiled the plaque for the Association. The Association was jointly initiated by 13 universities and colleges in Jiangsu Province, including Nanjing University, aiming to advance research in international communication, enhance practical skills in this field, and create a platform for sharing resources, expertise, and experiences among these institutions.

Zhang Aijun and Tan Tieniu unveiled the plaque for the Association.

In his speech, Zhang Aijun stressed the Association’s role in deepening cultural exchanges, promoting mutual learning, and presenting the rich cultural heritage of Jiangsu and Chinese traditions on the global stage. Furthermore, he underscores the importance of introducing Chinese culture to the world while enhancing the efficiency of international communication to amplify the voices of China, Jiangsu, and universities, fostering better global understanding and communication.

Tan Tieniu highlighted the challenges China faces in international communication. In response to these challenges and the changing global dynamics, Nanjing University, alongside 12 other universities and colleges in Jiangsu, has initiated the Association to harness the collective strength. By pooling resources, knowledge, and expertise, the Association endeavors to contribute significantly to enhancing the quality and reach of China’s international communication efforts.

Yu Yunquan, President of the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies of the Chinese Foreign Languages Publishing Administration, gave a speech as a representative of the Association advisory committee.

Dong Birong, President of Nanjing Audit University, on behalf of the 13 universities and colleges, read out the “Initiative on Developing International Communication at Colleges and Universities.”

Hu Zhu, Deputy Director of Jiangsu Provincial Government Press Office, presided over the Ceremony.

During the ceremony, leaders representing Nanjing University and the other 12 founding member universities and colleges collectively launched six key projects of the Association, including establishing a joint International Communication Research Institute, and creating a platform for international communication exchanges at colleges and universities.

The Association signed a memorandum of cooperation with Xinhua Daily’s JiangsuNow International Communication Center and Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation’s Jiangsu International Communication Center.

Following the inauguration ceremony, the first councile meeting of the Association was held.

At the Council meeting, Tan Tieniu presented appointment letters to Yu Yunquan, Shuang Chuanxue, and Ge Lai, members of the association advisory committee. 

Leaders from the Publicity Department of Jiangsu Provincial Government, the Jiangsu Education Department, the Foreign Affairs Office of Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government, Xinhua Daily, Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation, leaders from Nanjing University, Southeast University, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Hohai University, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing Audit University, Nanjing University of the Arts, Nanjing Vocational University of Industry Technology, Soochow University, Yangzhou University, and other leaders and department heads from the 13 founding member universities, as well as media representatives, attended the event.

Writer: Song Jiaxin