China Social Science Review

No.2, 2023

Reflection on and Approaches to the Communication Studies in China

(Abstract)

Sha Yao and Li Bin

In the field of communication academia, there is a general consensus that Wilbur Lang Schramm’s visit to China was a milestone for the development of communication studies in China. As a Western imported discipline, China’s communication studies is difficult to detached the influence of Western theories since its beginning. On many issues, a research path of “Western theory + Chinese experience” has been formed. Through reflection on the development of communication studies in China, breaking this dual framework and then exploring an indigenous path and direction in communication studies, are important steps toward constructing a self-relied knowledge system for Chinese communication studies. The disciplinary development of China’s communication studies should focus on the humanistic tradition, extracting the indigenous communication theories by dialogue with Chinese history and culture; extract communication theories with the characteristics of contemporary Chinese practice by focusing on practical tradition; with the focus on the history of the Communist Party of China and the history of the People’s Republic of China, refine a communication theory centering on the practice of China’s path in the process of Chinese revolutionary, construction, and reform led by the Communist Party of China; with the focus on international communication practice, from the global perspective, develop an international communication theory for the idea of a human community with a shared future.