China’s growing economic power has enabled the country to play a more important role in the international community, which has inevitably triggered admiration as well as misunderstanding. Under this context, it is essential for China to strengthen its discourse power and express China’s voice, an international relations expert noted at a seminar in Beijing on Monday.

At present, the main factor favoring China’s discourse right is its economic development. In the past 40 years of reform and opening up, China has formed an orderly model of development for the nation, one which enhances interaction between the political and the social spheres, providing precious experience for other developing countries, said Zheng Yongnian, director of East Asian Institute in National University of Singapore at the seminar held by the Center of China and Globalization (CCG) on May 21.

Unlike Western-orientated publicity efforts, China’s external communication is mainly focused on resolving problems and economic interactions that meet China’s national interests as well as the demands of host countries, said Zheng, adding that China should also coordinate and cooperate with Western countries to jointly contribute to international development.

He also stressed the importance of strengthening cultural discourse through various measures, such as using Confucius Institutes to help spread Chinese language and traditional Chinese culture around the world.

In addition, China should find new promotion points, such as its active role in climate change issues and environmental protection. In recent years, China has fulfilled its global responsibility, which has gained praise and recognition from other countries. Consequently, Zheng advised that China take the opportunity to strengthen its discourse power.

Social engagement is also indispensable, Zhang added. He said China should coordinate society and government in cultural exchange to continuously enhance China’s soft power.