Beijing Youth Daily:

My questions are about international communications. The report to the 20th CPC National Congress says we will strengthen our international communications capabilities and make our communications more effective. What progress has been made in international communications in cyberspace? What steps will be taken to tell China's stories well and contribute to building a community with a shared future in cyberspace? Thank you.

Cao Shumin:

Thank you for your questions. To present a credible, appealing and respectable China is a long-term objective of strengthening international communications capabilities. Let's invite Mr. Chen Renze to answer the questions.

Chen Renze:

Thanks to the journalist with Beijing Youth Daily. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping personally planned, deployed, and promoted work on international communications and elaborated on a series of major theoretical and practical questions on strengthening international communications capabilities, pointing out a clear direction and offering fundamental guidelines for us. In accordance with General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions and the decisions of the CPC Central Committee, we have worked with local authorities and other departments to make innovations on the basis of what has worked in the past and extend the reach and influence of international communications in cyberspace. Positive progress has been achieved in this regard.

First, giving theoretical guidance and fully demonstrating the essence of the Chinese path. Focusing on major events and occasions, we leveraged the advantages of internet-based communication, innovated discourse, and strengthened presentation across all forms of media and interactive communication to interpret Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era from multi-dimensional perspectives. This was done to help more foreign audiences understand the power of truth and the global significance of the latest achievement of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of our times.

Second, actively showcasing our image and enhancing the appeal of Chinese governance philosophy. We organized international internet communication activities such as "A Date with China" and "DaKa China" on major themes, including the 20th CPC National Congress, the Party's centenary, and the Beijing Winter Olympics. These activities showcased China's image as a country of diversity that is marching forward and gave the international community a hands-on experience on the three fundamental questions of why the CPC works in China, why the Marxism works in China and why the socialism with Chinese characteristics works in China.

Third, creating a positive impression and promoting the defining symbols of Chinese culture. By using modern, human-interest, international, and vibrant means of online communications, we promoted fine culture featuring Chinese characteristics, highlighting China's ethos, and embodying Chinese wisdom. These were delivered a group of online works which demonstrate Chinese aesthetics, modern concepts, and the shared values of humanity to better present Chinese culture to the world.

Fourth, increasing cohesion and encouraging more people to tell China's stories. With the internet as the medium, we built platforms for understanding China through programs such as "Why Red Star Shines in China" and "I am in China in the New Era." More and more foreign political leaders, experts, journalists, and overseas Chinese shared their interactions and friendship with China online, telling China's stories and promoting Chinese culture. China's image as a country that is credible, appealing and respectable has become more vivid and multi-dimensional. 

For the next step, we will focus on the important arrangements made in the report to the 20th CPC National Congress, prioritize studying, publicize and implement the guiding principles of the congress, follow the laws of international communications in cyberspace, develop a global perspective, keep in mind key tasks, build our ability, comprehensively improve the capacities, level and effectiveness of international communications in cyberspace, and better tell stories of China and the CPC to make China's voice heard by more people and present a true, multi-dimensional, and panoramic view of China. Thanks.