Distinguished Lecture Series

Days ago, a session of the SME-SFI Distinguished Lecture Series was successfully held at TXC101. Dr. Zhao Luoxi, Research Fellow at the Strategic Communications Center, Marketing and Public Relations Department, Tencent, was invited as the keynote speaker under the theme of “Chinese Culture Going Global in the Digital Age” to analyze how to enhance the influence of Chinese culture and promote its more effective global reach in the digital age from multiple perspectives, drawing on the overseas expansion practices of digital technology companies like Tencent.

Dr. Zhao pointed out that the forms of Chinese culture going global are undergoing profound changes amid the waves of globalization and digitalization. Today, the “new three,” namely, online literature, TV dramas, and games, have become new forms of cultural interaction.

In particular, digital technology has not only brought about structural changes in cultural dissemination but also restructured the user’s role from a passive, singular “cultural consumer” to an active “content co-creator.”

In analyzing the path of culture going global, Dr. Zhao pointed out that “content characteristics,” “price advantages,” and “payment optimization” are important drivers behind Chinese film and television platforms, such as WeTV and iQIYI, and their works’ overseas popularity. In today’s increasingly ecosystem-driven digital life, the development of IP chains and the deep integration of “content + technology” are continuously propelling Chinese culture to go global in a more systematic way.

Despite significant achievements, “There are still challenges in telling China’s story well,” Dr. Zhao acknowledged. He proposed the concept of “4A”—Acknowledge, Accept, Appreciate, and Admire—pointing out that the ultimate goal of Chinese culture going global is not only to be “seen” by the world but also to be recognized, appreciated, and even admired. This is a long path that still requires continuous exploration.