Telling the Story of China’s Frontier Governance in the New Era

Telling the story of China’s frontier governance in the New Era is both a necessity for safeguarding national sovereignty and security, and a practical requirement for shaping a credible, lovable, and respectable national image, as well as for promoting ethnic unity and regional development. Taking frontier governance as a methodological foundation, systematically advancing theoretical innovation and practical breakthroughs in narrative frameworks, narrative forms, and narrative value holds profound strategic significance for breaking the monopoly of Western discourse and promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

讲好新时代中国边疆治理故事，既是维护国家主权与安全的需要，也是塑造可信可爱可敬国家形象、推动民族团结与区域发展的现实需求。以边疆治理为方法论基点，系统推动叙事框架、叙事形态与叙事价值的理论创新与实践突破，对于打破西方话语垄断、推动构建人类命运共同体具有深远的战略意义。

Theoretical and Practical Significance

理论与现实意义

Against the backdrop of the accelerated evolution of changes unseen in a century, telling the story of China’s frontier governance in the New Era carries profound theoretical connotations and practical significance. This is not merely a technical issue of enhancing the effectiveness of international communication, but a strategic topic concerning the construction of discursive power, the shaping of national identity, and innovation in global governance, urgently requiring systematic elucidation from a theoretical level.

在百年变局加速演进的背景下，讲好新时代中国边疆治理故事具有深刻的理论内涵与现实意义。这不仅是提升国际传播效能的技术性问题，更是关乎话语权建构、国家认同塑造与全球治理创新的战略性议题，亟须从理论层面进行系统性阐释。

From the dimension of constructing international discursive power, frontier governance narratives constitute an important fulcrum for building national soft power. For a long time, China’s frontier narratives under the Western-centric perspective have often fallen into a binary opposition framework of “tradition versus modernity.” China’s frontier governance practices in the New Era have broken free from this narrative rut. By showcasing innovative explorations in areas such as ecological progress, harmonious ethnic relations, protection of traditional culture, and coordinated modern development in frontier regions, they provide a new epistemological basis for reconstructing global frontier discourse. Actively telling authentic, complete, and credible stories of frontier governance in the international public opinion arena helps build a more convincing image of China. This narrative transformation is not only a theoretical response to Western discursive hegemony but also an important practice in participating in the reconstruction of the global knowledge system.

从国际话语权建构的维度看，边疆治理叙事构成国家软实力建设的重要支点。长期以来，西方中心主义视角下的中国边疆叙事往往陷入“传统—现代”的二元对立框架。中国在新时代的边疆治理实践打破了这一叙事窠臼，通过展现边疆地区在生态文明建设、民族关系和谐、传统文化保护与现代发展协同推进等方面的创新探索，为重构全球边疆话语提供了全新的认识论基础。在国际舆论场中主动讲述真实、完整、可信的边疆治理故事，有助于构建更有说服力的中国形象。这种叙事转型不仅是对西方话语霸权的理论回应，更是参与全球知识体系重构的重要实践。

Regarding the construction of national identity, the telling of frontier governance stories concerns the forging of a sense of community for the Chinese nation and the advancement of building the community of the Chinese nation. Frontier regions, as spaces for interaction, exchange, and integration among various ethnic groups, vividly embody the “unity in diversity” pattern of the Chinese nation through their governance practices. Telling the stories of frontier governance well helps correct misunderstandings and enhance consensus. By systematically sorting out practical cases of cultural mutual learning, economic mutual assistance, and social mutual integration in frontier governance, it is possible to demonstrate the inclusiveness and continuity of Chinese civilization from a spatial dimension, and to strengthen identification with the unified multi-ethnic nation at the narrative level. This narrative construction based on governance practices provides a concrete cognitive vehicle for grasping the connotation of the community of the Chinese nation.

就国家认同建构而言，边疆治理故事的讲述关乎铸牢中华民族共同体意识、推进中华民族共同体建设。边疆地区作为各民族交往交流交融的空间，其治理实践生动体现了“多元一体”的中华民族格局，讲好边疆治理故事有助于纠正误读、增进共识。通过系统梳理边疆治理中文化互鉴、经济互助、社会互融的实践案例，能够从空间维度展现中华文明的包容性与连续性，在叙事层面强化对统一多民族国家的认同感。这种基于治理实践的叙事建构，为把握中华民族共同体的内涵提供了具象化的认知载体。

At the level of global governance, China’s frontier governance experience holds significant reference value. Currently, worldwide issues such as unbalanced development, civilizational conflicts, and ecological crises are particularly prominent in frontier regions. China’s frontier governance insists on coordinating economic development with ecological protection, and integrating traditional culture with modern civilization, forming a unique comprehensive governance model. This governance wisdom provides theoretical resources that can be drawn upon for improving the global governance system.

在全球治理层面，中国边疆治理经验具有重要的参照价值。当前世界范围内，发展不平衡、文明冲突、生态危机等问题在边疆地区表现得尤为突出。中国边疆治理坚持推动经济发展与生态保护相协调、传统文化与现代文明相融合，形成了独具特色的综合治理模式，这种治理智慧为完善全球治理体系提供了可资借鉴的理论资源。

From the perspective of mutual learning among civilizations, telling the story of China’s frontier governance in the New Era helps build a bridge for dialogue between Chinese and foreign civilizations. By telling vivid stories of cross-border cooperation, cultural exchange, and common development in frontier regions, it not only showcases the open and inclusive nature of Chinese civilization but also resonates with countries around the world at the value level, promoting deep dialogue among different civilizations on the basis of mutual respect.

从文明互鉴的视角来看，讲好新时代中国边疆治理故事有助于搭建起中外文明对话的桥梁。通过讲述边疆地区跨境合作、文化交流、共同发展的生动故事，不仅能够展现中华文明开放包容的特质，更能在价值层面与世界各国形成共鸣，推动不同文明在相互尊重基础上的深度对话。

Transforming the Discursive Framework of Narratives

转换叙事的话语框架

In existing international communication practices, frontier issues have mostly been placed within a macro-narrative framework of policy promotion and achievement display. Although such narratives are clear in structure and explicit in direction, they often fail to evoke deep resonance among international audiences due to a singular perspective and emotional distance, and may even trigger ideological misinterpretations in specific contexts. The narrative of China’s frontier governance in the New Era should focus on a strategic shift from the macro policy level to the level of governance practices and daily life. Through concrete and human-centered modes of expression, it should achieve an organic integration of governance logic and life experience, constructing a discourse system of frontier governance with Chinese characteristics and global significance.

在既有的国际传播实践中，边疆议题多被置于政策宣介与成就展示的宏观叙事框架中。此类叙事虽然结构清晰、指向明确，却常因视角单一、情感疏离而难以引发国际受众的深度共鸣，甚至在特定语境下会引发意识形态层面的误读。新时代中国边疆治理叙事应着力于从宏观政策层面向治理实践与日常生活层面的策略转变，以具象化、人本化的表达方式，实现治理逻辑与生命体验的有机融合，构建具有中国特色、世界意义的边疆治理话语体系。

On the one hand, establish the subject position of “people” in the narrative of frontier governance. For example, the new media project “Victory 1945 – Memories of the Nanyang Chinese from the Red Earth,” produced by the International Communication Center of Yunnan Radio and Television Station, interprets the historical mission of the Nanyang Chinese mechanic group in connecting China and abroad and building peace together by excavating the family memories of the mechanics’ descendants and exploring precious cultural relics and archives. Such narratives use emotion as a bond and connect the local with the international, giving governance stories a perceptible warmth and the power to touch people’s hearts. This helps shift from “hard propaganda” to “soft communication,” enhancing the affinity of agenda-setting.

一方面，确立“人”在边疆治理叙事中的主体地位。例如，云南广播电视台对外传播中心制作的新媒体项目“胜利1945——红土地上的南侨记忆”，通过挖掘机工后人的家族记忆、探寻珍贵文物档案，诠释了南侨机工群体联结中外、共筑和平的历史使命。此类叙事以情感为纽带，以地方性连接国际性，使治理故事具备可感知的温度与直抵人心的力量，有助于从“硬宣传”转向“软传播”，提升议题设置的亲和力。

On the other hand, construct a governance narrative framework centered on “people’s livelihood development” and “ethnic unity.” The narrative of frontier governance in the New Era should actively set agendas, using specific cases to explain China’s practical achievements in frontier areas such as ecological protection, poverty alleviation and wealth creation, and cultural heritage. For example, the news article “From Dangerous Houses to Internet-Famous Village!” in *China Ethnic News* vividly presents the multi-dimensional aspects of governance effectiveness by describing the complete process of a village in the southwestern border region achieving poverty alleviation and prosperity through eco-tourism, thereby enhancing the narrative’s basis for international recognition and discursive commensurability.

另一方面，构建以“民生发展”与“民族团结”为核心的治理叙事框架。新时代边疆治理叙事应主动设置议题，以具体案例阐释中国边疆在生态保护、减贫富民、文化传承等领域的实践成果。例如，《中国民族报》新闻作品《从危房到网红村！》通过描述某西南边陲村落借助生态旅游实现脱贫致富的完整历程，生动呈现了治理效能的多维面向，增强了叙事的国际认同基础与话语通约性。

Enriching the Communication Ecology of Narratives

丰富叙事的传播生态

The narrative of China’s frontier governance in the New Era should break through media barriers, build a converged communication system covering multiple subjects, multiple platforms, and multiple technologies, accelerate the transformation from “disseminating information” to “building relationships,” and form a more resilient and extensible narrative ecology.

新时代中国边疆治理叙事应突破媒介壁垒，构建涵盖多元主体、多元平台与多元技术的融合传播体系，加快从“传播信息”到“构建关系”转型，形成更具韧性和延展性的叙事生态。

At the level of narrative subjects, promote multi-voice collaboration between official and non-official, domestic and international sources. People of all ethnic groups in frontier regions, grassroots cadres, and cultural workers, as witnesses to governance practices, have natural persuasiveness and appeal in expressing their authentic voices, using grassroots and individual “micro-narratives” to echo the national-level “grand narrative.” Local creators and youth groups should be actively guided to participate in narrative production, and in-depth cooperation with international media, think tanks, and cultural institutions should be expanded, forming an internally and externally linked narrative network to enhance the three-dimensionality and credibility of communication.

在叙事主体层面，推动官方与民间、国内与国际的多声部协作。边疆各族群众、基层干部、文化工作者作为治理实践的亲历者，其真实声音的表达具有天然的说服力与感染力，以基层、个人的“微叙事”呼应国家层面的“大叙事”。应积极引导本土创作者、青年群体参与叙事生产，并拓展与国际媒体、智库、文化机构的深度合作，形成内外联动的叙事网络，增强传播的立体性与可信度。

At the level of communication platforms, coordinate domestic mainstream media and social platforms, and precisely deploy international communication channels. In the domestic arena, rely on the authoritative platforms of central media, actively integrate into younger-generation communities such as Douyin, Bilibili, and Xiaohongshu, and achieve content “breaking out of the circle” in communication. In the overseas arena, deeply cultivate international social platforms such as YouTube and TikTok, and carry out precise communication in conjunction with the cultural contexts of target countries. The coordinated advancement of platform strategies helps build a media matrix combining local media, central media, and international channels, covering different audience groups and adapting to different cultural contexts through internal and external linkage and online-offline linkage, expanding the breadth and depth of the narrative.

在传播平台层面，统筹国内主流媒体与社交平台，精准布局国际传播渠道。在国内场域，依托中央媒体的权威平台，积极融入抖音、B站、小红书等年轻化社区，实现内容“破圈”传播。在海外场域，应深耕YouTube、TikTok等国际社交平台，结合对象国文化语境开展精准传播。平台战略的协同推进，有助于构建本地媒体、中央媒体与国际渠道共举的媒体矩阵，通过内外联动、线上线下联动覆盖不同受众群体、适应不同文化语境，拓展叙事的广度与深度。

At the level of technology application, fully leverage the role of various intelligent communication technologies in constructing narrative scenarios. AI technology possesses powerful data analysis and content generation capabilities, which can transform governance policies and achievements into visual charts, dynamic interpretations, and immersive scenes; by developing interactive programs such as “cloud tours” and launching online cultural tourism check-in challenges, it helps audiences witness frontier development achievements and understand frontier governance effectiveness through interactive experiences. Narrative innovation empowered by intelligent technology can expand communication boundaries, subtly change the relationship between audiences and content, transcend the most direct emotional connections established through text and image experiences, and reshape international audiences’ imagination and perception of China’s frontiers.

在技术应用层面，充分发挥各类智能传播技术在叙事场景构建中的作用。AI技术具备强大的数据分析与内容生成能力，可将治理政策与成果转化为可视化图表、动态解读与沉浸式场景；通过开发“云游”类的互动程序、发起线上文旅打卡等挑战活动，有助于受众在交互体验中见证边疆发展成就、理解边疆治理成效。基于智能化技术赋能的叙事创新，可以拓展传播边界，潜移默化改变受众与内容的关系，超越文字和影像的体验所建立的最直接的情感联结，重塑国际受众对中国边疆的想象与认知。

Enhancing the Value Connotation of Narratives

提升叙事的价值内涵

The deep-seated goal of international communication is not only to shape the national image but also to promote the formation of value consensus.

国际传播的深层目标不仅在于塑造国家形象，更在于推动价值共识的形成。

First, promoting the cognitive transformation of frontiers from “geographical borderlands” to “governance frontiers” has theoretical necessity. By presenting the pivotal role of frontier regions in the Belt and Road Initiative and regional coordinated development strategies, as well as their development achievements in modern infrastructure, cross-border cooperation, and emerging industries, it is possible to reverse the stereotypical perception of frontiers as “backward” and “marginal,” and reshape their image as strategic hubs “connecting internal and external areas and radiating to surrounding regions.” Behind this cognitive transformation lies the international community’s deep understanding of China’s spatial governance and development relations based on its vast territory.

首先，推动边疆从“地理边陲”到“治理前沿”的认知转型具有理论必要性。通过呈现边疆地区在共建“一带一路”倡议、区域协调发展战略中的枢纽作用，以及其在现代化基础设施、跨境合作、新兴产业等方面的发展成就来扭转将边疆等同于“落后”“边缘”的刻板认知，重塑其作为“联通内外、辐射周边”的战略枢纽形象。这种认知转型的背后，涉及国际社会对中国基于广袤国土的空间治理和发展关系的深层认识。

Second, focusing on issues of global concern and building a foundation for dialogue has become a strategic choice for enhancing the value and connotation of the narrative. Issues such as ecological protection, poverty reduction experience, cultural heritage, and ethnic unity in the practice of borderland governance in the New Era have universal significance. For example, systematically explaining the contribution of China’s ecological protection projects implemented in border areas such as the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the Three-River-Source Region [2]2 The Three-River-Source Region (Sanjiangyuan) refers to the headwaters of the Yangtze, Yellow, and Lancang (Mekong) rivers in Qinghai Province, a key area for China’s ecological conservation. to global climate governance, and actively responding to the international community’s common concerns about sustainable development and cultural diversity, make borderland stories an important vehicle for interpreting the “Chinese solution.” This ability to proactively set the agenda reflects China’s confidence in the theory and discursive self-awareness within the global governance discourse system.

其次，聚焦全球关切议题、构建对话基础成为提升叙事价值内涵的战略选择。新时代边疆治理实践中的生态保护、减贫经验、文化传承、民族团结等议题具有普遍意义。例如，系统阐释中国在青藏高原、三江源等边疆地区实施的生态保护工程对全球气候治理的贡献，积极回应国际社会对可持续发展与文化多样性的共同关切，使边疆故事成为诠释“中国方案”的重要载体。这种主动设置议题的能力，体现了中国在全球治理话语体系中的理论自信与话语自觉。

Finally, refining the wisdom of governance from the perspective of “mutual learning among civilizations” has far-reaching significance. As a place where Chinese and foreign civilizations converge, the governance experience of borderlands contains indigenous Chinese philosophical wisdom such as “good-neighborly friendship,” “harmony and coexistence,” and “making use of resources to benefit life, not being enslaved by things.” [3]3 “Making use of resources to benefit life, not being enslaved by things” (liyong housheng, bu wei wu yi) is a classical Chinese philosophical idea from the ancient text *The Great Learning* (*Daxue*), emphasizing the proper human relationship with material resources. Through systematically sorting out and disseminating these concepts, the practice of borderland governance is elevated into an intellectual resource for participating in global governance and promoting dialogue among civilizations, thereby enhancing resonance at the level of values.

最后，提炼“文明互鉴”视角下的治理智慧具有深远意义。边疆作为中外文明交汇之地，其治理经验蕴含“睦邻友好”“和合共生”“利用厚生，不为物役”等中国本土哲学智慧。通过系统梳理与传播这些理念，将边疆治理实践升华为参与全球治理、推动文明对话的思想资源，增进价值层面的共鸣。

In summary, we need to recognize that borderlands are an important perspective and methodological pathway for understanding China and comprehending the world. Through systematic innovation in narrative framework, form, and value, we should deepen the research and practice of China’s borderland governance narrative, making borderlands an important bridge connecting China with the world, linking history with the future, and promoting dialogue among civilizations and common development, so as to better contribute the experience and wisdom of China’s borderland governance to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

总之，我们需要认识到，边疆是理解中国、读懂世界的重要视角与方法路径。通过叙事框架、形态与价值的系统创新，深化中国边疆治理叙事的研究与实践，让边疆成为连接中国与世界、沟通历史与未来、促进文明对话与共同发展的重要桥梁，更好为构建人类命运共同体贡献中国边疆治理的经验与智慧。

(The author is Dean and Professor of the School of Journalism and Communication, Minzu University of China)

（作者系中央民族大学新闻与传播学院院长、教授）