The State Council Information Office (SCIO) held a seminar on international communication on July 27 in Yantai, Shandong Province, with a theme on how China's stories and voice can be better heard in the world.

Guo Weimin, vice minister of the State Council Information Office, delivers a speech at a seminar on international communication in Shandong Province on July 27. [Photo/China.org.cn]

Guo Weimin, vice minister of the SCIO, said in an interview following the seminar that storytelling is an important tool for China's overarching mission to communicate with the international community.

Guo said with China at the center of the world stage, the world expects to learn more about China. Therefore, it is up to the communications and media professionals to respond. By showcasing China's new ideals and policies, it would promote better understanding by the international community, and build a media environment favorable to the development of China.

The vice minister also pointed out the important role media professionals play in improving China's communication with the world. He said media professionals should gain better insight into China's history as well as learn more about their foreign audiences from different countries and social backgrounds. Then, they would be able to tell more interesting stories, whether about everyday lives in China or about major business operations, and use them to demonstrate China's development to the worldwide audience.