In order to further promote cultural exchanges and mutual understanding, between China and other countries, break the monopoly of western discourse, and cultivate excellent talents who can tell Chinese stories well, Xi’an Fanyi University successfully held 2022 Forum on International Communication and Foreign Language Development online on December 17, 2022.
Cui Zhilin, president of XFU, Wang Qilong, president of Xi’an International Studies University (XISU), and Wang Junzhe, former president of XISU, attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches. Wang Lixiao, vice president of XFU, presided over the opening ceremony. More than 20 famous experts and scholars attended the forum, including Huang Youyi,, Wang Lifi, Zhong Weihe, Peng Qinglong, Zha Mingjian, Chang Junyue, Dang Zhengsheng, Yuan Xiaolu, and Li Qingming.
On behalf of Xi’an Fanyi University, Cui Zhilin extended a warm welcome to all the leaders, experts and scholars attending this forum. Cui Zhilin said that the holding of this forum would play a positive role in promoting the implementation of the spirit of the Party’s 20th National Congress, deepening the reform and development of foreign language disciplines and specialties, and strengthening the cultivation of international communication talents. Xi’an Fanyi University is an important base for cultivating foreign language talents in the Western China. Currently in the university, seven major languages, including English, Japanese, Korean, German, French, Russian and Spanish, and 9 undergraduate majors, are available for more than 6,200 students enrolled). Xi’an Fanyi University would continue to cultivate foreign language talents that could tell the story of China well, work hand in hand with other universities, strive to build international communication capacity and promote the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind. Cui Zhilin also sincerely hoped that all the experts, professors and leaders would continue to support Xi’an Fanyi University in reform, development and construction.
Wang Qilong said in his speech that in the face of the needs of the times and the expectations of the country, foreign language colleges and universities have a unique linguistic advantage and an incumbent responsibility in promoting Chinese culture abroad and enhancing the effectiveness of international communication. As an outstanding private university in Shaanxi, Xi’an Fanyi University plays a dominant role due to its profound teaching and research ability and unlimited development potential, which is worthy of our praise and learning. Especially in recent years, represented by the School of Translation Studies, a group of language-oriented schools have contributed their wisdom and strength to tell the story of Shaanxi and spread the voice of China. Today, this high-end forum hosted by Xi’an Fanyi University, which centers on the cultivation of international communication talents, is a vivid practice of implementing the spirit of the Party’s 20th National Congress, and a useful exploration to help build international communication capacity.
Wang Junzhe congratulated Xi’an Fanyi University for organizing this high-end forum. He said that Xi’an Fanyi University had been developing and changing along with China’s reform and opening up for decades, with an early start, better development and rich experience. Over the years, the university has provided valuable experience for the development of private education, and it was also worthwhile for many private institutions to learn and pass on. The 20th National Congress put forward new goals and requirements for international communication, and actually made a good plan for the development and cultivation of foreign language talents. Therefore, we should respond to the call of the times and work together to improve international communication ability and talent cultivation quality.
In the keynote speech, experts discussed the path of cultivating foreign language talents for international communication. Professor Huang Youyi proposed to explore the essentials of foreign translation and international communication from practice. Professor Wang Lifi put forward constructive suggestions on the cultivation of language service talents for Xi’an as a national central city. Professor Zhong Weihe discussed “Needs and Path of Foreign Language Education Reform in China in the New Era”. Professor Peng Qinglong pointed out that capabilities in politics, thinking pattern, disciplines, media, humanities, and science and technology constitute the core capabilities of intercultural communication talents. Professor Chang Junyue put forward his thoughts on the cultivation mode of foreign language talents in international communication, which is “solid foundation, mutual understanding, and much practice”. Professor Zha Mingjian pointed out that international communication talents should be cultivated with professional abilities such as translation ability, the ability to translate Chinese discourse to foreign countries and the ability of cross-cultural comparison and communication. Professor Dang Zhengsheng pointed out that translation is the front-end work and the most important means for international communication, and it is the key element in determining the effect of China’s international communication. Professor Yuan Xiaolu discussed the path and practice of cultivating foreign language talents in international communication based on the national first-class translation major and first-class English major that Xi’an Fanyi University was now constructing.
The delegates discussed the connotation of cultivating foreign language talents for international communication in the form of a roundtable forum, focusing on the topic of the summit forum from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Professor Zhang Jian discussed the “Concept and Path of Constructing First-Class Majors for Undergraduates”; professor Wang Xin put forward unique insights on the connotation and cultivation path of international communication ability of foreign language professionals; professor Liu Yumei put forward the construction of a new model of ideological and political education for foreign language majors; prof. Liu Quanguo mined the connotation of Lin Yutang’s interlanguage cultural writing from the aspects of cultural genes, cultural schemas, and cultural spirit, which provided a good opportunity for China’s foreign language education; professor Xu Jiabiao pointed out that it was necessary to build up a discourse system that connected China and foreign countries, and to enhance the “Chinese volume” on major issues; professor Hu Zongfeng took good works in Chinese and English poetry, novels and essays as examples, which explored the mutual understanding of civilizations in Chinese-English translation; professor Hu Weihua discussed “Theoretical Framework and Disciplinary Space of International Communication"; professor Huang Jianyou pointed out the need to cultivate composite talents with strong linguistic and communication skills, as well as knowledge of Chinese and foreign cultures; Ai Xiaoying and Luo Bing explained “Interculturalism and Translation” from the perspective of foreign friends, and talked about “My Life in Shaanxi and Shaanxi Literature”, which brought the practice of international communication to a successful conclusion.
Wu Zhongyuan, vice president of Xi’an Fanyi University, made a closing speech.
With the theme of “International Communication and Foreign Language Development”, the forum was organized in the form of keynote speeches and round tables, where experts and scholars exchanged their views. They analyzed the new situation, explored the new path, explained the new concepts and methods in foreign language teaching, and proposed new ideas for the cultivation of foreign language talents in international communication. It would have great significance and far-reaching influence for universities to improve the quality of talent cultivation, strengthen the construction of international communication capacity, and promote Chinese culture to the world. More than 1,000 audiences attended the forum online or offline.
In the future, under the guidance of the 20th National Congress, Xi’an Fanyi University will take this summit as an opportunity to continuously improve the talent cultivation system, build up international communication capacity, cultivate foreign language talents for international communication, so as to contribute the wisdom and strength of Xi’an Fanyi University to effective international communication and comprehensive presence of true China to the world.
20余位国内知名专家、学者出席国际传播外语人才培养高端论坛
