To facilitate communication between the faculty and students worldwide, the School of International Relations and Public Affairs (SIRPA) at Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) launched a dialogue series for presenting China’s stories globally. It’s named Zhaomingde [昭明德], borrowed from Chinese classic The Book of Changes, interpreted in English as “a gentleman demonstrates his virtue by practicing it, just as the sun shows its brightness by sunrise”.

In the evening of November 3rd, 2022, Professor Zhang Xiaoling of Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU), was invited to share her view on “Tai-chi Diplomacy in China’s Relationship Building with the World” at the fifth session of Zhaomingde dialogue. This lecture was chaired by Professor Zhang Shaoduo, Secretary of CPC Committee of SIRPA, SISU.

“In a globalized information age, the winner is no longer those who has a higher capacity in military, but those who is better at telling the story”, Professor Zhang believes that for every state, discourse power and soft power are of great importance. "Tai-chi diplomacy" is an important civil force in the construction of China's image, and also a clear manifestation of China's growing soft power. Just as "Ping-pong diplomacy" in 1970s has opened the door to China's interaction with the world, "Tai-chi diplomacy" in the new era will be able to attract more foreigners because of its unique infectious power and cultural charm, and will broaden and extend the avenues to spread China's voice.

Professor Zhang emphasized that "Tai-chi diplomacy" is not a one-way teaching or merely preaching. As friendship depends on the efforts of both sides to get closer and understand, so "informing" should not be the method of teaching Tai-chi abroad and pursuing "Tai-chi diplomacy".

The real enhancement of soft power depends on effective two-way communication. Tai-chi scholars and experts are a vivid illustration of the traditional Chinese virtues, such as authenticity, discipline, credibility and high level of martial arts skills; the connotations of Chinese culture are undoubtedly revealed by their charismatic presentation.

The long-lasting emotional ties between Tai Chi teachers and overseas learners show that the role that civil forces can play in the international exchanges is perhaps even greater than that of official forces.

At the end of the lecture, Prof. Zhang concluded that the work done by Tai-chi teachers has put into practice the best connotation of transnational diplomacy, and they have made great efforts to tell China’s story and change the stereotyped international opinion on China. "Tai-chi diplomacy" will also publicize Chinese values and cultural traditions overseas along with China's integration into the international community.

SIRPA houses the largest number of international students at SISU, with two master’s degree programs taught all-through in English, International Relations and China Studies. The school is committed to preparing future global talents for a wide range of international expertise. The Zhaomingde dialogue series was a platform for both Chinese and international students to have a better understanding of contemporary China and tell Chinese stories globally.