On December 1st, FPNU held the founding conference of Southeast International Communication and English Writing Center (the Center) as well as the first International Communication Seminar on Critical Thinking and Creative Writing. Vice President Chen Zhiyong chaired the meeting. The Center was founded under the guidance of the Information Office of Fujian Provincial Government.
Secretary Lai Hairong delivered a speech on behalf of FPNU. He pointed out that Fujian is the starting point of the ancient Maritime Silk Road, and now it is actively incorporating itself into the Belt and Road Initiative. The Center, based in Fujian, will be committed to promoting the teaching reform and research of college English writing in Fujian Province, spreading the positive energy of international publicity, and telling Fujian stories. This way, it hopes to cultivate English talents with patriotic spirits and international vision who are capable of transmitting Fujian culture overseas through academic dialogue and innovative cooperation.
Mr. Guo Xiaoyong expressed warm congratulations on the establishment of the Center. He pointed out that strengthening international communication capacity and promoting international cultural exchanges and multi-level dialogue among civilizations are important ways to enhance a country’s cultural soft power and to speed up the building of a strong socialist culture. The founding of the Center is of great significance as the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative is approaching.
Vice Minister Ye Xiongbiao pointed out that the CPC Central Committee and the Fujian provincial government attach great importance to international communication and strongly support universities to strengthen their international communication capacity.
Vice president of Minnan Normal University Zhang Longhai said that Fujian is the core area of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, and its unique geographical advantages have brought about new opportunities for its international cultural communication and exchanges. English writing constitutes a major channel to tell stories about China in the process of building “the Belt and Road” and promoting Chinese culture worldwide.
At the unveiling ceremony, Vice Minister Ye Xiongbiao and Secretary Lai Hairong jointly inaugurated the Southeast International Communication and English Writing Center. The Center will be dedicated to building an external communication platform with strong leadership, communication power and influence in Southeast China. By creating original English videos and articles that can touch people’s hearts, the Center will actively project Fujian as “a land of happiness on Earth”.
At the first the international communication seminar on critical thinking and creative writing, eight speakers delivered reports or speeches, including former Vice President of the University of International Relations (UIR) Guo Huimin, Research Fellow of the Institute of Party History and Literature of CPC Central Committee Yu Xiaoqiu, Chief Writer of UIR English Writing Center Qian Kunqiang, General Manager of Modern Education Press Zhang Jingjing, Research Fellow of Chinese National Academy of Arts Zheng Changling, Dean of School of Foreign Languages of Fuzhou University Zhong Xiaowen, professor of the School of Foreign Languages of Fujian Normal University Yue Feng, and Dean of the School of Foreign Languages of FPNU Huang Qinggui.
Division heads and teachers from the Department of International Exchange and Cooperation, School of Foreign Languages, and School of Culture, Media and Law attended the meeting.
(Translated by Hu Mengjian/
Reviewed by Xu Qinliang)
