The Symposium, held from 19th to 21st October, 2012 in Hangzhou, was co-hosted by Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University of Media and Communications and Hangzhou Normal University and over 100 scholars from the University of Birmingham, UK, Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Nanjing University, East China Normal University, Lanzhou University, Zhejiang University, etc., were present at the Symposium, dealing with seven topics: paradigm innovation of discourse studies, discourse studies and key Chinese issues, discourse studies and corpus, discourse studies and new media, discourse studies and ethnography, basic characteristics of contemporary Chinese discourse, discourse studies and national culture.

The opening ceremony was chaired by Professor Qian Yufang, College of International Culture Communication. Mr. Xiang Zhongping, Vice President of Zhejiang University of Media and Communications said in his speech that “The Symposium is of great importance to summarizing the experience of China and the world in discourse studies, sort out principles and understand the growing tendency. Meanwhile, it evokes inspirations for Zhejiang University of Media and Communications in its management.” Then, Professor Shi Xu, Director of Research Institute of Discourse and Cultural Studies and Chang Jiang Scholar, on behalf of the organizers, expressed his welcome to the scholars and experts and announced the opening. He said that a Chinese way should be paved to eliminate the academic West-centered theories with the spirit of rejuvenating the national culture. In addition, Professor Shi Xu as well as Wang Xuelei and Yang Na, members of the Research Institute made keynote speeches on the theories and applications of contemporary Chinese discourse studies.

Besides, many young scholars began to pay attention to the discourse expressive ways in Chinese cultural situations. And the interdisciplinary development of contemporary Chinese discourse studies was also dealt with.

The closing ceremony was held in the International Communications Center on 20th October. Professor Shi Xu made a speech that “this Symposium was successful in one way that it was organized carefully and in another way, the presence of many young scholars showed the prospects of discourse studies, which would propel the disciplinary development and transformations.” He also placed hopes on the young scholars for better visions and keener consciousness of problems. Professor Qian Yufang said that this Symposium provided an excellent platform for academic exchanges and interdisciplinary development.

By Zhao Dantong