How to improve the theoretical research and practical working ability of public diplomacy research in China? How to tell China's story in a better way and enhance China's international image and speech power? Encountered with thoses comtemporary issuess, the Shanghai Institute of Public Diplomacy (SIPD) has made active attempts to translate academic books as well as publish its own research achivements in journals and books. On the August 16th, the first day of the 2023 Shanghai Book Fair, SIPD, the Shanghai Public Diplomacy Association (SPDA) and the Shanghai People's Publishing House (SPPH) jointly hosted the book release of 'Decenet Friendship Wins True Respect' and 'Public Diplomacy Translation Series' in the Friendship Hall of the Shanghai Exhibition Center. The book, Decenet Friendship Wins True Respect, was co-edited by Zhou Hanmin, and members of the editorial board of SIPD and of the Expert Advisory Committee. Mr. Zhou Hanmin is a member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, former Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Shanghai Committee, President of the Shanghai Public Diplomacy Association, chairman of the Shanghai Institute of Public Diplomacy.
Mr Zhou delivered a keynote speech at the book release. Present at the book release were officials from Shanghai Municipal Committee for Friendship with Foreign Countries of the CPPCC, Shanghai Public Diplomacy Association, Shanghai Institute of Public Diplomacy, Shanghai Century Publishing Group, Shanghai People's Publishing House and other government institutions. Also present were leaders from USST, Wang Lingyu, Secretary of the Party Committee , Vice Chairman and direcrtor of the Shanghai Institute of Public Diplomacy; Liu Qin, Dean of CFL, Executive Vice chairwoman of the Shanghai Institute of Public Diplomacy, associate editor in chief of 'Public Diplomacy Translation Collection', member of the editorial board of 'Decenet Friendship Wins True Respect'; Qu Deqiang and Jin Xiaodong, Secretary and deputy secretaer of the Party Committee of CFL; officials from Hujiang College, International Exchange Office and other departments. The conference was presided over by Min Shilin, Vice president of Shanghai Public Diplomacy Association and director of Shanghai Institute of Public Diplomacy.
Zhou Hanmin reiterated the practical significance and theoretical value of publishing 'Decenet Friendship Wins True Respect' and 'Public Diplomacy Translation Collection'. He pointed out that public diplomacy is an significant part of national diplomacy, and should serve our country. As the picture of Chinese modernization unfolds gently, there is much to be done in public diplomacy to build bridges of communication, gather Chinese and foreign wisdom, promote the communication among the peoples.In order to present to the world a confident, dynamic and responsible China, public diplomacy has a brilliant and promising future.
In the keynote speech session, Huang Qiang, Party secretary and chairman of Shanghai Century Publishing Group, introduced the publishing work of two new books. He hopes to take the publication of the two sets of books as an opportunity to share the vivid and moving stories of Shanghai's public diplomacy practice and the successful experience of innovative exploration with the world. Sun Weimin, former deputy secretary-general of the Shanghai Public Diplomacy Association and executive deputy editor-in-chief of “Decenet Friendship Wins True Respect” pointed out that the book integrates the features of Shanghai and the characteristics of the era, focusing on telling the new stories of Shanghai's public diplomacy, writing down the experience of innovation, and raising resonant voices. Yu Yiqi, the translator of 'Public Diplomacy Translation Collection' and associate professor of CFL, shared her experiences in translating 'The New Economic Diplomacy'. Chen Xingyan, director of the Shanghai Public Diplomacy Association and a co-author of the book 'Decenet Friendship Wins True Respect', pointed out that people-to-people exchanges are an important cornerstone and a lubricant in international relations. Wu Jinan, honorary president of the Shanghai Japanese Society and member of the Expert Advisory Committee of the Shanghai Institute of Public Diplomacy, recalled an unforgettable friendship between him and senior Japanese mediaman Wakamiya Kaiwen in his book “Decenet Friendship Wins True Respect” He pointed out that in the new era, the international situation is becoming increasingly complex, and the development of public diplomacy must combine theoretical research with practical wisdom to serve the country's overall diplomacy.
After the keynote speech session, Zhou Hanmin, Wang Lingyu and other leaders and experts presented books to our graduate students who participated in the event. Leaders and experts welcomed and sent messages to the students, hoping that they could draw wisdom and strength from the books, and encouraged the students to be devoted to the cause of China's public diplomacy.In the Q&A session, the Shanghai Council for the Promotion of International Trade Reading Marathon group interviewed Zhou Hanmin. During the interview, he pointed out that the core of the 'Belt and Road Initiative' lies in people-to-people connection, and the overall pattern of China's trade and investment is on the right track. As China promotes high-level opening up to the outside world, public diplomacy will become an crucial part for China to further integrate with the world.
After the book release, Zhou Hanmin and Liu Qin lined up for photos with Professor Zhang Shunsheng and Associate Professor Yu Yiqi, who translated 'Public Opinion and Diplomacy in the 20th Century' and 'New Economic Diplomacy'. Zhou Hanmin praised the two translators, thanked them for their hard work, and encouraged them to continue to study public diplomacy and make new achievements in translations.
The world today witnesses the profound changes unseen in the past century and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. In addition to the above two translators, Liu Luechang, Kang Xin, Wang Yong, Lu Quanzhi, Yang Yongchun, Zhu Hongda and other faculty members in CFL participated in the compilation and translation of 'Decenet Friendship Wins True Respect' and 'Public Diplomacy Translation Series'. The two sets of books not only lays a cornerstone for the creation of public diplomacy theory with Chinese characteristics, but also provides intellectual support for the practice of public diplomacy, and helps to shape a new national image of China in the new era.
