Technology, Civilization, and Systems:Theoretical Deepening and Paradigmatic Transformation in China’s International Communication Research in 2025

In 2025, research on China’s international communication has presented a composite development trajectory characterized by theoretical deepening and paradigmatic transformation, against the backdrop of technological iteration, civilizational dialogue, and the reconstruction of the global order. The rapid advancement of generative artificial intelligence has propelled international communication into an era of in-depth intelligence, redirecting academic focus from instrumental application to systematic reflection on ethical norms and institutional construction. Meanwhile, the paradigm of international communication is undergoing a dual shift: from state-centered discourse to civilizational narrative, and from fact-based persuasion to emotional resonance. It further emphasizes the negotiation of meanings and the cultivation of shared values in cross-cultural interactions. Amid the rising influence of the Global South and the restructuring of the global communication order, academic circles have intensified efforts to explore the construction path of an autonomous knowledge system for international communication. This evolutionary trend marks a critical transition from “responding to external discourses” to “shaping academic paradigms”, which is of great significance for building a more resilient and balanced global communication ecosystem.