Just as those who attend to school to study Mandarin all know, the two conferences, namely, the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference are in processing. During the period of the two conferences, the interview place was set for the overseas journalists for the first time, increasing the rate for overseas reporters to ask questions. In the news conferences, some famous overseas media like Reuter’s News Agency, Voice of America, Japan’s Asian News Agency and TV Asahi raised questions to the news spokesman.
Except for the topics such as Chinese economy, people’s livelihood and topical news, the media from abroad and Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan also focus on the issue of culture. One journalist form America mentioned the popular Chinese art troupes in foreign countries. He said many performances during the Spring Festival were very popular and many Chinese movies also screened in the US, bringing convenience for foreigners to know about Chinese culture. The reporter said the promotion of Chinese culture in overseas countries and the Chinese language teaching are main topics they concern.
At present, many children of Chinese American are not familiar with Chinese culture and are not able to speak Chinese language. Some of the overseas reporters expressed that they hope the overseas promotion of Chinese culture can promote the further development of Chinese language teaching in foreign countries, thus improving such kind of situation. In this way, more foreigners will have the opportunity to study Chinese better and communicate with Chinese people. In this sense, China should attach more importance to the Chinese culture promotion in foreign countries.
Some other journalists and reporters from abroad and Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan also expressed their opinions on overseas transmission of Chinese culture. A reporter comes from Japan proposed to take the thinking styles and cultural and living habits of the local people into consideration during the process of promotion. After renovation in ways and methods of transmission, the Chinese culture will get further promotion in foreign countries. It is important to transmit the culture with the ways that can be accepted by the local people.
One journalist from Russia said that it is essential for China to focus on the cultural construction. However, the reporter mentioned that people in Russia have limited understanding in Chinese culture. Some students who study in China may know more activities were held in Russia recently. But the reporter said that some of them lasted not long enough for local people to understand Chinese culture. In all, the ways of cultural transmission are very important.