On May 26th to 27th 2012, the 8th Sino-Russia Mass Media Development Symposium was held in the Renmin University of China (RUC). This symposium was jointly hosted by RUC Journalism and Social Development Research Center, RUC School of Journalism, Moscow University School of Journalism and the Television, and the Journalism School of the Communication University of China. Over 80 experts and scholars in the fields of journalism, communication, public relations and International studies and from over 30 journalism schools, research institutes and news agencies from China and Russia attended this Symposium.

The Opening Ceremony was presided by Professor Zheng Baowei, director of the RUC Journalism and Social Development Research Center. RUC Vice President Professor Yang Huilin, RUC Journalism School Executive Dean Professor Ni Ning, Moscow University Journalism School Russia-China Research Center Director Professor Zaytzev made their speeches on the opening ceremony. In their speeches, they presented congratulation for the Symposium being held, interpreted the significance of reinforcing mutual academic exchange and cooperation, and expressed their hope that, under joint efforts by Chinese and Russian researchers, this symposium could achieve thorough communication and discussion surrounding the topic and be successful.

Following the opening ceremony was keynote speeches presided by Professor Tu Guangjin, Executive Director of RUC Journalism and Social Development Research Center.

Professor Zheng Baowei, Director of RUC Journalism and Social Development Research Center, made his keynote speeches titled "Climate Change And Mass Communication". He emphasized that, climate issues are not only environmental issues, but also development issues, and ultimately they are development issues. Research on climate change and climate communication is related to national development and the development of mankind. Climate communication of China should not only aim toward the whole globe, but also should be rooted in the public and folk society, the final solution of climate change issues would eventually rely on social and public input and focus. Professor Zheng showed that, in order to better make climate communication down to the public and folk society, the climate communication program team he is leading has two measures this year. Firstly, it will conduct a "Survey on the Chinese public cognition of climate change and climate communication"; secondly, it will hold an event of the title Climate Change and Climate Communication "Going to Residence Quarters, Going to Campuses, Going to the Countryside, Going to Enterprises" .  So far the public cognition survey has already been initiated and will be finished and announce its investigation results this October.

Professor Mihaylov reviewed mutual exchange and cooperation between China and Russia in recent years in the fields of politics, economics, military affairs, culture, education and so on. He confirmed the great contribution for the further enhancement of Sino-Russia relationship by public diplomatics, and announced that St. Petersburg University Journalism School will launch a Chinese version for better communication between researchers of two countries. Meanwhile, although development of new technology such as social networks and social media greatly improved the convenience of information flow between the public of the two countries,  reliable protection of the national and individual information safety has become a new topic between China and Russia.

Professor Ma Shengrong, Dean of the Literature and Journalist Media Communication School of Chongqing University and former Deputy Director of Xinhua News Agency, carried out a deep analysis with a professional perspective on the survival status quo and future development of traditional media and institutions including TV media, print media, news agencies and media cooperations under the new communication environment.

Professor Ding Junjie of Communication University of China pointed out in his keynote speech "Tool Misuse and Attitude Misguidance: Observation of the Status of Advertisement in China's National Image Commication", that to carry out the "Going out" strategic project of China's national image communication requires knowing and learning from how other countries "came in".  Professor Ding made a comparison of news reporting by Chinese and Japanese media after an earthquake. He proposed that, after disastrous event happened, advertisement is a very effective measure and good use of media resources is necessary. Professor Lei Yuejie, Director of Communication Research Institute, reviewed the past eight years' history of the Sino-Russia academic symposium, and made a systematic summary of the topics of the former seven symposiums and the relationship between topics and journalism practice and research.

In three panel discussion sections on May 26th Afternoon and May 27th Morning, participant experts and scholars carried out deep discussion on topics including informationalization, globalization and national image; public diplomatics and cross-culture communication; informational society and health communication; new media and crisis management; social media and government public relations; political communication and social participation;  interpersonal communication and social consensus; ecological crises and environmental communication.

“China's health communication" keynote speech session jointly delivered by Professor Tu Guangjin of RUC Journalism School, Professor Xue Ke of Shanghai Jiaotong University Media and Design School, Professor Chen Hong of East China Normal University, Professor Tang Yuanqing of Communication University of China, Professor Weng Changshou  and Professor Fang Jie of RUC, made a comprehensive discussion on the status, function, effect and development trend of health communication in China, and was especially well received in this symposium

The Closing Ceremony was held on May 27th Morning. In his concluding speech, Professor Zheng Baowei praised this symposium for its clear theme, broad topics, active speaking by both Chinese and Russian researchers. Some graduate students and even undergraduate students submitted papers, which illustrated a promising future for the academic research team. He expressed his hope that this academic communication mechanism between China and Russia could be sustained and passed down, and that the symposium will become better and better.

In the Closing Ceremony RUC Journalism and Social Development Research Center, RUC Journalism School and Moscow University Journalism School mutually exchanged the new version of the cooperation agreements, which will provide guarantee for further mutual cooperation in the future.

"Sino-Russia Mass Media Development" Symposium is a platform for Chinese and Russian researchers to carry out academic communication and cooperation in the field of mass media research. Starting from 2005, this symposium is held alternatively annually by Moscow University School of Journalism, RUC Journalism and Social Development Research Center, RUC Journalism School, Communication University of China Television and Journalism School, and have been so far successfully held for seven times and made significant contribution to promoting academic communication between China and Russia. According to the routine, the ninth symposium due in next year will be held in Moscow. ( by the symposium organizing group)