Zhang Cheng and Varsha Binth Saif, faculty members of the Language and Cultural Studies Center at the Hainan University–Arizona State University International College (HAIC), attended the 21st Annual Conference of the China Association for Intercultural Communication held from Sept 26 to 28 in Zhangjiajie, Hunan province.

Participants take a group photo at the 21st Annual Conference of the China Association for Intercultural Communication, held from Sept 26 to 28 in Zhangjiajie, Hunan province. [Photo/WeChat account: HAIC]

Themed “Intercultural Research and Practice in the Era of Artificial Intelligence”, the event brought together a wide array of experts and scholars from institutions including Tsinghua University, Peking University and City University of Hong Kong. Participants engaged in discussions on cutting-edge topics such as AI, intercultural communication, civilizational dialogue and international Chinese language education.

The conference featured five keynote speeches, five thematic seminars, two roundtable forums and 21 parallel panel sessions. Discussions covered core topics including “Intercultural Communication and Dissemination in the Age of AI”, “Intercultural Communication of World Heritage” and “Intercultural Business Communication”, providing a high-level platform for intellectual exchange and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Zhang Cheng, a teacher at the HAIC, presents an English-language report at a panel session of the 21st Annual Conference of the China Association for Intercultural Communication. [Photo/WeChat account: HAIC] 

During a panel session on intercultural communication, Zhang Cheng presented an English-language report titled “The British Miniseries Adolescence and Its Globalized Resonances on Chinese Social Media”. Drawing on domestic and international literature and using thematic coding as a research method, Zhang analyzed the vibrant online discussions across China’s major social media platforms about the British TV series Adolescence.

Her study explored why the show has generated strong cross-cultural resonance among Chinese audiences despite significant cultural and social differences between China and the United Kingdom.

Varsha Binth Saif, a teacher at the HAIC, delivers a presentation at a panel session of the 21st Annual Conference of the China Association for Intercultural Communication. [Photo/WeChat account: HAIC] 

At another panel session themed “Intercultural Studies from the Perspective of Civilizational Dialogue and a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity”, Varsha Binth Saif delivered a presentation titled “Shared Screens, Shared Futures: Chinese Cinema, Cross-Cultural Remakes and Soft Power Diplomacy through Civilizational Dialogue”. 

Taking the adaptation of the Indian Malayalam-language film Drishyam into the Chinese film Sheep Without a Shepherd as a key example, she examined how universal themes were localized to preserve the narrative core while integrating Chinese cultural values.

She argued that cross-cultural film remakes can foster empathy, mutual respect and intercultural harmony, while also contributing to cultural pathways for advancing the global vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity.

The participation and scholarly contributions of Zhang and Saif not only showcased the HAIC’s ongoing exploration in intercultural studies but also provided valuable insights for future teaching practices and academic activities related to intercultural communication. Their work will further enhance the college’s efforts in promoting intercultural education and advancing mutual learning among civilizations.