On the morning of June 13, 2024, the College of International Cooperative Education invited Professor Yao Ximing, Director of the Chinese International Education Research Center at Shanghai University, to give a special lecture entitled "International Chinese Communication in the Great Historical Changes". The college leadership, full-time and part-time Chinese teachers, and administrators in charge of international student affairs participated in the exchange and learning session.

Ding Xuezhong, Dean of the College of International Cooperative Education, extended a warm welcome to Professor Yao Ximing on behalf of the college and introduced in detail the overall situation of the college and the discipline construction of international Chinese education.

Subsequently, starting from the definition and dissemination of language as well as the distribution and causes of major languages around the world, Professor Yao Ximing systematically expounded on the current status of the global spread of Chinese, the relationship between language and cultural dissemination and national strength, and the driving roles played by economics, politics, technology, religion, and population in the international dissemination of languages. He also pointed out that in the face of the great changes unseen in a century, international Chinese communication enjoys excellent opportunities. Looking ahead, international Chinese communication will surely bring the world closer to China and Chinese culture into the world. Through the international dissemination of Chinese, it will help enhance China's influence, reshape the image of Chinese civilization in the world by building a community with a shared future for mankind, and lead the harmonious development of humanity.

Professor Yao Ximing has profound theoretical knowledge and fruitful research achievements in the fields of sociolinguistics, lexicography, Western rhetoric, and international Chinese education. This academic lecture was highly insightful and easy to understand, bringing great benefits to the participating teachers.

In the report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Chinese President Xi Jinping made important arrangements to enhance the dissemination power and influence of Chinese civilization, emphasizing the need to “We will deepen exchanges and mutual learning with other civilizations and better present Chinese culture to the world.” Taking the opportunity of establishing master's programs in international Chinese Education, the College of International Cooperative Education will continuously broaden teachers' academic horizons by inviting experts and sending them out for exchanges, giving full play to the leading role of academic research, showcasing China's language and culture, telling China's stories well, spreading China's voice effectively, and presenting a credible, lovely, and respectable image of China.

Professor Yao Ximing:

Yao Ximing is the Director of the Chinese International Education Research Center at Shanghai University, a professor, and a doctoral supervisor. He serves as a member of the Teacher Development Professional Committee of the World Chinese Language Teachers Association, a specially-appointed expert of the International Student Education Management Branch of the Chinese Higher Education Association, and a guest professor at Yanshan University. He has previously held positions such as Deputy Director of the Foreign Languages School, Chinese Director of Confucius Institutes, and Director of the International Education College. His main research focuses on Western rhetoric, lexicography, international Chinese education, and Sino-foreign cultural exchanges. He has published over 40 papers and more than 20 monographs, translations, textbooks, and dictionaries, and has hosted and completed over 10 various scientific research projects, including national social science fund projects and provincial and ministerial projects.