Unveiling Ceremony of the Center for Contemporary Chinese Discourse Studies at Zijingang Campus

April 18, 2007

In the morning of April 15, 2007, the unveiling ceremony of the Center for Contemporary Chinese Discourse Studies was held during the Closing Ceremony of the Second International Conference on Multicultural Discourse.

Prof. Hu Jianmiao, Vice Chancellor of Zhejiang University, participated in the ceremony and gave a speech. Prof. Li Yuming, Deputy Director of the Language Committee, and Director of the Department of Language Information of the Chinese Ministry of Education, also came from Beijing to attend the unveiling and gave a warm and powerful speech.

The Second International Conference on Multicultural Discourse was organized and held by the School of International Studies, Zhejiang University at the International Conference Center, Zijingang Campus, Zhejiang University from April 13 to 15.

The conference remains committed to its original aims, namely:

To facilitate cultural harmony and prosperity while striving to undermine cultural domination and exclusion, including discussion of themes such as:

- concepts and theories of language, communication, and discourse outside the dominant paradigms, as well as the related research and teaching traditions;

- intercultural dialogue, post-colonial critique, and cross-cultural fertilization in discourse, language, and communication studies; and

- globalization of non-western intellectual heritages, and localization of English as an international language.

About 200 delegates from 35 countries and areas participated in the conference. Three keynote speeches and 134 presentations were held during the three days. Just as Prof. Ye Gaoxiang, Vice Chancellor of Zhejiang University, and Prof. Fan Jieping, Executive Vice-Dean had expected, delegates not only exchanged academic views but also held extensive cultural interactions. This conference will provide precious data for the development of the new Center and will greatly facilitate the development of relevant subjects.

For administrative purposes, the Center for Contemporary Chinese Discourse Studies was attached to the School of International Studies. Prof. Shi-xu, titled as “Qiushi Professor”, Director of the Institute of Discourse and Cultural Studies, will be the director of the Center, while Prof. Li Yan and Prof. Wu Zongjie will be vice-directors.

A series of activities will be held to study every aspect of Chinese contemporary discourses systematically, and to promote its study.

(School of International Studies 2007-4-18)