Conflict and Harmony: Globalization and Asian Cinema

Author: Meng Jian et al. (Editor-in-Chief)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-08-01
Features: On the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the China College Film and Television Society (abbreviated as "China Film and Television Society in Higher Education"), the academic paper collection of the "Second China Film and Television High-Level Forum" was officially published, a cause for celebration!
As an important academic organization in the Chinese film and television industry, particularly in the field of film and television education in China, the China College Film and Television Society, since its establishment in Beijing in 1983, has already walked a full 20-year journey. Alongside China's reform and opening-up, the society has made unremitting efforts to promote the development of the Chinese film and television industry, especially in the fields of film and television education and academic research.
I clearly remember that four years ago, in 1999, at the cross-century annual meeting of the China College Film and Television Society, President Zhang Fengzhu of the society proposed the vision of organizing academic activities under the guiding principle of "deepening theoretical exploration, broadening international perspectives, tracking academic frontiers, and enhancing research standards." This vision was warmly embraced by all members of the society. It was in line with this vision that the China College Film and Television Society officially established the "First China Film and Television High-Level Forum" in Beijing in January 2001, which achieved great success in its inaugural academic event. In March 2002, the academic paper collection of the First China Film and Television High-Level Forum, titled "Globalization and the Fate of Chinese Film and Television," was officially published and well-received. Building on this foundation, in November 2002, the "Second China Film and Television High-Level Forum" was jointly organized by the China College Film and Television Society, the School of Journalism and Communication at Fudan University, the Film and Television Department of the School of Media and Design at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and the Adenauer Foundation in Shanghai. This forum marked another major academic event by the China College Film and Television Society, following the successful "First China Film and Television High-Level Forum" held in Beijing in 2001, and was an international academic event of high caliber.
The "Second China Film and Television High-Level Forum" took place against the backdrop of China's successful entry into the WTO and the significant achievements of the Chinese film and television industry. Under the overarching international academic theme of "Conflict and Harmony: New Trends in Asian Film and Television in the Globalized Space," the forum conducted extensive and in-depth discussions on the Asian film and television industry, particularly the Chinese industry, within the emerging global landscape of world film and television.
This forum attracted a gathering of distinguished figures and renowned scholars from around the world, with nearly 100 well-known individuals from the film and television industry and academic experts both at home and abroad participating in this academic grand event. Among them were such prominent overseas figures as Mr. Harald, former president of the Berlin International Film Festival and current president of the Venice International Film Festival, Professor Weilrich, former director of German television, Professor Luo Sitian from the Asian Research Center at the University of Southern California, and many others. Alongside them were top domestic scholars such as Professor Xie Fei, Professor Zhang Fengzhu, Professor Huang Shixian, Professor Li Yizhong, Professor Hu Zhifeng, and Professor Zhou Xing, among others. They fully shared their academic insights around the forum's theme. Attendees agreed that the rapid development of the media industry is accelerating the process of global informatization and profoundly influencing the of world politics, economy, and culture. The development and transformation of the film and television industry, with its unique form and function, have shaped a distinctive landscape in the evolution of the media industry. China's successful entry into the WTO has further brought the Chinese film and television industry into the global spotlight. Many experts and scholars believe that the Asian film and television industry is playing an increasingly important role in the world's film and television landscape. The vigorous development of the film and television industries in countries and regions such as China, Japan, and South Korea heralds a new future for Asian film and television. A significant number of experts and scholars argue that the Chinese film and television industry is demonstrating vitality amid challenges and opportunities. Whether it is the structural reforms of China's film and television system or the unique charm of emerging film and television works, the world film and television industry is beginning to take note of China. The view that "the future of Chinese film and television will become a driving force for Asian cinema" is increasingly being mentioned by the Asian and global film and television industry. The paper collection we compiled provides a relatively concentrated and comprehensive display of the academic spirit of this forum.
When this academic paper collection is officially published, we sincerely thank the Adenauer Foundation for its strong support, especially Dr. Steven, the Shanghai-based representative of the Adenauer Foundation, for his diligent efforts in making this publication possible. At the same time, we also sincerely thank Mr. Gao Ruo Hai, the editor-in-chief of Fudan University Press, and Mr. Gu Qian, the director of the editorial department, for their support in publishing this book.