Tsinghua University held a forum on improving the national image on Nov 26 in Beijing, focusing on the Belt and Road Initiative and Chinese brands.

More than 300 experts, scholars and media professionals from all over the country attended the 2017 Tsinghua National Image Forum on Nov 26 in Beijing. [Photo/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Research into the country's national image should be closely connected with the Belt and Road Initiative and help to tell the China story in a better way, said university vice-president Yang Bin.

"The Belt and Road Initiative and China brands are important parts of and serve as practical approaches to building the national image," Yang said. "Construction of the national image not only improves cultural confidence and promotes cultural co-prosperity, but also reflects the responsibility of a strong country."

Zhang Shouying, deputy editor-in-chief of People's Daily, makes a speech on mainstream media and national image at the forum. [Photo/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In a keynote speech, Zhang Shouying, deputy editor-in-chief of People's Daily, a world leading newspaper, summarized five capabilities - reporting, thinking, attractiveness, and communication strength and influence - of China's mainstream media to better serve the Belt and Road Initiative.

Liu Binjie, dean of the School of Journalism and Communication at Tsinghua University, said in his keynote speech that as production capability increases brands must be innovated to stimulate international communication.

Liu Binjie, dean of the School of Journalism and Communication at Tsinghua University, makes a keynote speech at the 2017 Tsinghua National Image Forum. [Photo/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The forum has attracted over 300 experts, scholars and media professionals from all over the country.

A new book on innovation and convergence of the national image, the third volume of a national image series, was also launched at the forum.

The School of Journalism and Communication also released a China image report based on big data analysis and the brand communication index of small towns with special characteristics.

Nine parallel sessions on topics such as international cultural exchanges and the national image were held in the afternoon. The national image research center of Tsinghua University, established in 2014, is co-sponsored by the six colleges of journalism and communication, public management, economics and management, liberal arts, architecture and fine arts.